LAS VEGAS — Superstar free agent starter Tarik Skubal, the dominant name and force on the free agent market, will sign this month, ahead of the Dec. 1 lockout. He’s the headliner for what promises to be a busy month.
Some agents expressed concern earlier this week at general managers’ meetings that many teams would be away for the month, waiting to see how the new rules might affect their payroll and operations. However, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said it’s “business as usual,” and that seems to be the case for most teams.
Although the deals reached so far with the major leagues can be counted on one hand, executives suggested that negotiations are progressing at a usual pace, if not a bit faster, because they would like to have much of their core in place before the work stoppage, which could be lengthy.
The Skubal derby will move faster than most superstar chases, with six teams — the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, Blue Jays and two unknown clubs — lined up to meet the two-time Cy Young winner in Orange County, Calif., next week. Other top arms could be as well, given the overwhelming demand and decent supply of top starters — especially compared to the unusually thin position group.
Gn sports
