5 burning questions that will shape Dodgers offseason from Skubal sweepstakes to potential extensions, trades

For the first time in three years, the Dodgers’ winter has begun with a quiet period.They didn’t reach the World Series this fall.Which means they have some time to sit back and take stock of their roster before the offseason kicks into gear.This year, of course, uncertainty surrounds the future of the sport.

A lockout is almost certain to commence at the beginning of December.When a new CBA is struck, and what changes to the league’s financial structure it could possibly entail, is still anyone’s guess.Because of that, forecasting the Dodgers’ moves this winter also remains a guessing game.

At what will be a potential point of transition for the franchise, there are any number of routes that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Co.could take.For now, though, they do begin the offseason with a few obvious questions that will need to be answered.

Here are the five most pressing, as the two-time defending champions try to move on from their failed three-peat bid:This year’s free agent class is as thin as any in recent memory.But Skubal represents the one, superstar-caliber, potential record-setting exception.The two-time Cy Young Award winner is expected to break Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s high mark of $325 million guaranteed for a pitcher.

He could get upward of $400 million –– if not even closer to $500 million –– if the right combination of suitors emerges.The Dodgers, of course, will be in the mix.Their admiration for Skubal was clear at the trade deadline.Their appreciation for his talent and work ethic only grew during his three months with the club.

The relationships he built in the clubhouse –– including, first and foremost, with Blake Snell –– figure to only strengthen their case, as well.However…The Dodgers already have ample future financial commitments.How comfortable they are adding another, especially before knowing what changes will come with MLB’s new CBA, could be the defining question of their winter....