Tarik Skubal doesn't believe the Los Angeles Dodgers' extended run as MLB's premier powerhouse could be coming to an end with a potential lockout looming.
"I don't feel that at all," Skubal said after the Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, according to Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. "It's hard to win the World Series, and this group has done it the last two seasons. Obviously, not this year, but … I think that this group is incredibly talented. And the preparation and the work ethic that this group has - I don't buy into that narrative."
Skubal, who's set to become baseball's No. 1 free agent this offseason, was dealt to the Dodgers before the trade deadline. The two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner posted a 2.61 ERA, 2.36 FIP and 10.2 K/9 over 10 regular-season starts with L.A. He allowed three earned runs with 14 strikeouts over 11 innings in the playoffs.
"It was an honor and a privilege to be here and compete with these guys, and to wear L.A. across your hat and across your chest," Skubal said. "It's something that I took a lot of pride in. And, obviously, didn't end the way that I wanted it to. But that's life. That's baseball. I had a ton of fun here, and I loved competing with these guys."
The Dodgers - armed with one of MLB's largest payrolls and a deep farm system - have been a destination for big stars for decades, winning 13 NL West titles since 2013. However, the club's pursuit of talent reached another level after signing Shohei Ohtani in December 2023.
Los Angeles' sustained success has led many owners to yearn for a hard salary cap, which is the most contentious issue during negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement as the MLBPA vehemently opposes the idea. The team faces an uncertain future if the financial landscape of the league changes for 2027 or beyond.
The current CBA expires Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
