Tarik Skubal tops list of nine Dodgers free agents

LOS ANGELES — The World Series ended on Wednesday, which brings the official start of the offseason. First up was 6 a.m. PT on Thursday, with scores of players across the sport now officially free agents. Nine Dodgers are free agents, headlined by ace pitcher Tarik Skubal. Miguel Rojas is also a free agent, though he's retiring as a player to move into a role in the Dodgers front office. Other Dodgers free agents as of Thursday morning are Kiké Hernández, Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Kris Bubic, and Eric Lauer. Skubal was the Dodgers' prized acquisition at the trade deadline, with the two-time Cy Young Award winner coming to Los Angeles on August 2 with River Ryan, Zyhir Hope, and Brady Smith headed back to the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander had a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts down the stretch, with 70 strikeouts and 13 walks in 62 innings, and allowed three runs with 14 strikeouts and four walks in 11 innings in two postseason Game 1 starts. Skubal got the win over Atlanta in the National League Division Series and took a 2-1 loss in Milwaukee in the National League Championship Series. Because Skubal switched teams during the season, he's not eligible to receive a qualifying offer from the Dodgers. Same goes for Eric Lauer and Kris Bubic, but they weren't going to get a qualifying offer anyway.