The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be major players in the starting pitcher market this offseason, with two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal as a primary target, according to reporting from The Athletic.
The Dodgers' rotation for 2027 currently includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Emmet Sheehan, with Shohei Ohtani still recovering from pitching injury. Depth concerns remain around Gavin Stone's health and Jackson Ferris's readiness, prompting the front office to seek a reliable innings-eater.
If the Dodgers miss out on Skubal, they may not simply pivot to the next top free-agent starter such as Freddy Peralta or Michael King. Instead, they could pursue depth options on short-term deals, similar to the Tyler Anderson signing before the 2022 season, to bridge the gap until a post-lockout ramp-up.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are also seeking pitching depth after consecutive Wild Card Series exits and sub-90-win seasons. According to MassLive, Boston is in the market for a back-end starter and a right-handed reliever with swing-and-miss ability.
The Red Sox rotation features Garrett Crochet returning from injury, with Payton Tolle and Ranger Suárez slotted as the second and third starters, and Jake Bennett as the fourth. The fifth spot will be contested among Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck, while the bullpen includes closer Aroldis Chapman, setup men Garrett Whitlock and Erik Miller, and potentially Houck if he loses the rotation battle.
