There’s an elephant in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, and it’s sitting in Tarik Skubal’s locker.
While the Dodgers are on a quest to capture their third consecutive World Series title in October, everyone knows that starting pitcher Tarik Skubal is set for a massive payday this offseason.
Well, except for maybe Skubal.
According to teammate Max Muncy, Skubal has not peeped a word about his impending free agency to his teammates.
“I’ve never heard him mention one thing about free agency,” Muncy said after the Dodgers’ Tuesday team practice. “All he’s talked about is pitching here or competing with us, making it through this playoff run.”
Muncy said Skubal’s clubhouse demeanor is rare and called it “pretty special.”
“He’s looking at a big payday coming up, for sure,” Muncy said. “For him to not even mention it once. We’ve had a lot of guys come over here, and they’re free agents the next year, and they talk about it, and it’s not a bad thing; you’re supposed to talk about it.”
As Muncy mentioned, Skubal has been focused on what the Dodgers have been building since he was traded to them ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
Skubal has started 10 games with the Dodgers this season and has been as good as advertised, going 5-2 with a 2.36 ERA and punching out 70 batters.
On Friday, the Dodgers tabbed Skubal as their Game 1 starting pitcher of the NLDS against the Braves on Saturday.
Aside from making an impact on the field, he’s also made an impact in the clubhouse.
On Thursday, teammate Tyler Glasnow appeared on “Dodgers Territory” and spoke about how Skubal and Blake Snell have developed a close friendship, calling it “love at first sight.”
“He’s been focused on what we’ve got going on this year. I think that speaks to him, but that also speaks to the culture we’ve got in here,” Muncy said. “…Whatever happens in the future is going to happen. But we can control what we’re doing right now.”
