What happened: Tarik Skubal, who worked 7⅓ innings in his longest start after his midseason trade from Detroit, reaches the open market after Milwaukee swept Los Angeles in the National League Championship Series. Following the 6-4 Game 4 loss on Oct. 16, the left-hander declined to address his offseason plans and said his focus remained on the defeat.

Why it matters: Los Angeles leaned on the deadline acquisition to pursue a third consecutive World Series title after evening the prior round 1-1 with a 4-1 victory on Oct. 8. Milwaukee, which previously weighed acquiring the southpaw in August, instead captured the pennant after Brice Turang's opposite-field home run off his sinker tied Game 1.

What to watch: Official negotiations with rival clubs open five days after the conclusion of the 2026 World Series.