The Los Angeles Dodgers are usually one of the best teams in the entire MLB during the winter in free agency, as they get some of the biggest stars. This season, it was like they took a different approach, going after the biggest player on the trade market.

LA has always had a good starting rotation. In August, it got even better by acquiring Tarik Skubal.

“The Dodgers acquired Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Detroit Tigers for a package of three prospects: outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith. Skubal, a 29-year-old pending free agent, will now headline what was arguably already the best rotation in the sport,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzales wrote.

Skubal is the best southpaw in the game, if not the best starter currently. In Game 1 of the NLDS, he was lights out.

“Skubal pitched in triple-digit heat at Dodger Stadium and provided a scintillating postseason debut, limiting the Atlanta Braves to one run in six innings to lead his team to a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. Skubal gave up a leadoff single to Drake Baldwin and served up a home run to Sean Murphy to begin the sixth inning. In between, he retired 15 consecutive batters, seven via strikeout,” Gonzales wrote.

The lefty will become a free agent this winter. Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston believes Skubal will come back to LA.

“The two-time All-Star and Cy Young winner led the Majors in ERA the last two seasons and in 2025, recorded 7.30 strikeouts per walk, best in the sport. His 2026 was not as dynamic from a stat perspective, but it did see him join Los Angeles at the deadline and give that dynastic squad an opportunity to make a run at a third, consecutive World Series win. Prediction: Skubal ultimately re-signs with the Dodgers,” Beaston wrote.

LA would absolutely have the best rotation in baseball for years to come, and there is no way other teams could come close. Skubal alone is dominant, then add Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and all the others.

Skubal is on a $32 million contract this season. The Dodgers are known for being one of the best teams at getting top free agents, and this winter doesn’t seem like it is going to be any different.

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