Agent: Trade could lead to long-term deal for Tarik Skubal and Dodgers

By trading for Tarik Skubal, the Dodgers have gained a potential advantage in the upcoming sweepstakes for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, his agent told The California Post.Skubal, 29, will be a free agent after this season.“There’s nothing like getting to know how a franchise works and your role in it,” said Scott Boras, Skubal’s Newport Beach-based representative.Major League Baseball’s impending lockout could affect how free agency plays out, but that won’t change Skubal’s status as the best player on the market.Skubal, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers for three mid-level prospects, is scheduled to make his first start for the Dodgers on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.“It’s great for both the Dodgers and for Tarik that they both get to know one another quite well and determine more about what the future may hold for them,” Boras said.Boras said he was certain the Dodgers will like what they see in his client, whom he described as “of the most competitive people that I’ve been around in my career.”“He’s a great teammate,” Boras said.

“He really has a position-player mentality.He’s highly disciplined about his routine, what he does in between starts and what he does to stay in shape in the offseason.

“Skubal was noticeably emotional in the aftermath of his trade to the Dodgers – “He was a lifelong Tiger,” Boras said – but has become appreciative of the opportunity in front of him.“It allows him to pursue a goal of his, which is to win a World Series,” Boras said.The influential agent was relieved Skubal can chase that dream with the Dodgers, knowing their pitching depth will spare the impending free agent from being run into the ground.Skubal will be paired at the top of the rotation with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the most valuable player of the World Series last year.Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani are working their way back from their respective injuries and are also expected to be availab...