The offseason is in full swing, with MLB general managers meeting in Las Vegas throughout the week. Of course, the biggest name in this year's free-agent market is none other than Tarik Skubal. 

Skubal made headlines during this past season's MLB Trade Deadline as the Los Angeles Dodgers worked their magic to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner. 

Though the addition of Skubal did not help them reach their goal of becoming the first National League team to ever win three consecutive World Series, all focus now shifts to retaining Skubal's services. 

With all of this in mind, the one big looming question mark is that of the collective bargaining agreement deadline on Dec. 1. Uncertainty regarding all facets of money and team construction is limiting the Dodgers from offering Skubal or any big-time free agent a long-term deal, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. 

Instead, the Dodgers would likely take the avenue of offering a short team deal in hopes of a Skubal comeback in Los Angeles — the same construction type as Kyle Tucker's four-year, $240 million deal.

Los Angeles could do that and raise Skubal's Average Annual Value, which could topple even the highest of offers he could potentially get from teams like the New York Mets. 

But that path would be less likely, as the southpaw is not interested in a short-term, high-dollar deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. 

According to Woo, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes told the media on Tuesday that they have been in contact with Skubal's camp and are expected to meet with him sometime this week. 

Woo also mentions that Skubal's agent, Scott Boras, has "all incentive" to sign before the Dec. 1 deadline. That implication also applies to the rest of the league, as well. 

The reacquisition of Skubal can give the Dodgers the most edge heading into a 2027 season that has yet to be stamped and deemed playable. Not like they didn't have an edge already, but with Shohei Ohtani's plans moving forward as a two-way player still in the clouds and injury-prone arms, signing Skubal is indeed priority number one.

The Athletic is projecting Skubal to sign a nine-year, $405 million deal and pass teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto's contract of 12 years, $325 million, to earn the highest-paid pitcher in all of baseball. 

It is barely Nov. 11, far too early to measure the magnitude of Skubal's contract details, and Woo suggests that the Dodgers will remain in the backseat and watch his market transpire.