'Swept Up the Pitchers,' Shock of Dodgers' NLCS Elimination, Yet They Will Sign FA Skubal: "Made an Enormous Impact in a Short Time"

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The Dodgers bowed their heads despite aiming for a three-peat by sweeping up top-tier Major League pitchers. Nevertheless, the team is determined to sign Tarik Skubal (30), who has entered the market.

Dodgers Nation, a U.S. media outlet that primarily covers Dodgers news, reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that "the Dodgers plan to continue negotiations for ace Tarik Skubal's acquisition of free agent (FA) status."

The outlet noted, "Skubal will gain FA status the day after the World Series, and the Dodgers will be among the first teams to contact him."

After sequentially signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell, with Shohei Ohtani returning this season and Justin Robleski performing well, the Dodgers' ambition showed no end.

The Dodgers acquired Skubal, who had been Lee Yeong-sang-eul (수상) for two consecutive years, via a trade in August last month. He was the final piece of the puzzle chosen by the Dodgers to achieve a three-peat in the World Series. At that point, few doubted the Dodgers' championship prospects.

Skubal fulfilled his role. Since joining the Dodgers, he recorded a 5-2 record with an ERA (ERA) of 2.61 in 10 games. In the postseason, he appeared in two games with a 1-1 record and an ERA of 2.45, posting even better statistics than during the regular season.

Nevertheless, amid the silence of the lineup led by Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers ultimately suffered a painful elimination.

However, there was no issue with Skubal. The outlet reported, "Even though the Dodgers have not yet shaken off their disappointment, Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, praised without hesitation how well Skubal has adapted to the Dodgers and their goals."

Friedman stated, "Being traded mid-season and adapting to a new city and new clubhouse is not easy for a player. There are established routines, and one must adapt to them. He adapted smoothly both on and off the field and made an enormous impact in a short time. We deeply respect him both on and off the field."

This should not be understood as mere praise; it can be seen as indicating intent to re-sign. The variable is that the time is approaching when the Dodgers must speak with "Devil's Agent" Scott Boras.

Friedman said, "He created a situation where he could become a free agent. From our perspective, we will continue to talk with Boras," adding, "But he and his family must decide where they want to spend the next few years, and of course, we wish him nothing but the best."

The outlet reported, "The Dodgers will be interested in signing Skubal and, based on sufficient financial resources, may maintain a super rotation for some time, perhaps even until the end of the season."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original