ESPN investigation: Scoop's new contract could be up to $500 million

Scooper. (File photo, AFP)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The Dodgers bought two-term Cy Young left-hander Tarik Skubal from the Tigers before the trade deadline. He will become a free agent after the season and is expected to be the biggest player in the FA. "ESPN" today announced a survey on the total amount of Skubal's new contract, and invited 27 people in the baseball industry to make predictions. The maximum is expected to reach the US$500 million (approximately NT$15.9 billion) mark.

In this survey report, the lowest forecast amount is US$17,600 in four years, the highest is US$500 million in nine years, the average contract is US$355 million in eight years, and the average annual salary is US$44.6 million. Among them, 7 people predicted that the total amount is within 300 million US dollars, 7 people predicted that the total amount is between 300 million and 350 million US dollars, 9 people predicted that the total amount would be between 351 million and 400 million US dollars, and 4 people predicted that the total amount would exceed 400 million US dollars, and 2 of them predicted it would reach 500 million US dollars.

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If Scoop does receive a $500 million contract, his total contract will be second only to Mets Juan Soto's $765 million in 14 years and Dodger Shohei Ohtani's $700 million in 10 years. He will be tied for third in history with Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million in 14 years. It will also become the largest contract in pitcher history.

"ESPN" analyzed that the three standards that can be considered for Scherber's new contract are the Dodgers' Yunobu Yamamoto's 12-year contract of US$325 million, Max Scherzer's three-year contract of US$130 million, and the Yankee Gerrit Cole's nine-year contract of US$324 million. Scherzer is expected to break Yamamoto's largest pitcher contract in history, and Scherzer's highest annual salary record in pitcher history.

"ESPN" also gave speculations on Scubble's possible destination. The Dodgers, Mets and Tigers were listed as the most likely suitors, but the Tigers may only be on the edge of competition; the teams listed as worthy of attention include the Angels, Padres, who have changed owners, and the White Sox, who are preparing to change owners. In addition, the number of mentions of the Yankees is second only to the three suitors mentioned above.