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Blake Snell Makes Emotional Pitch for Tarik Skubal to Stay With Dodgers
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- Blake Snell Makes Emotional Pitch for Tarik Skubal to Stay With Dodgers
MLB: NLDS-Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers star Tarik Skubal is officially available to sign with any team , ending his two-month run with the Dodgers, though Blake Snell does not want to see him go.
When the Dodgers traded for Skubal, they knew the deal: Skubal would hit the free-agent market as the best player, and he had a decent chance of leaving to pitch elsewhere.
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However, the Dodgers hoped they would at least reach the World Series, where he could see the franchise's complete success.
Snell's pitch to Skubal
Now, he is free to leave after a devastating NLCS, though someone he calls his brother doesn't want to see him go.
Oct 11, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Blake Snell, who has formed a very tight bond with Skubal, already made his pitch after the team was eliminated.
"I just said, he can't leave me, especially on these terms," Snell told the California Post. "The goal is to win a World Series, and we weren't able to do that … So now that it's over, it's like, 'Don't leave.'"
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Snell and Skubal were regularly pictured together in the dugout or in the clubhouse celebrations after clinching a victory.
Both elite pitchers, they take their preparation seriously and enjoy talking about the art of pitching, and their personalities sync so well that Snell has a true friend.
"He's just a great human, great pitcher. Fun to learn from. Fun to have conversations with. Just talk baseball with," Snell said.
"I would love nothing more than for him to be back.
Oct 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) before game one of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Can the Dodgers re-sign Tarik Skubal?
The Dodgers have the money to sign Skubal, and if they want to keep their immense starting-pitching edge, they could allocate resources there.
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The big priority will be adding younger bats and new energy to the lineup, though with their farm system and shipping away some players, the Dodgers could do that without spending big.
Instead, they could opt to sign Skubal and enter the season with another great rotation.
