Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith has caught for MVPs, Cy Young award winners, and All-Star-caliber arms across his LA tenure.

During the festivities surrounding the All-Star game, Smith spent time with some of the greatest talents that the sport has to offer — and since he is signed through the 2033 season, he is already planting the seeds for a notable Detroit Tigers ace who hits the free agent market ahead of the 2027 campaign:

Tarik Skubal.

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“As the catcher, you want to catch all the best names,” Smith said. “As the Dodgers, we want to win the World Series, and that means getting the best players each and every year.”

The Dodgers have certainly shown that they are never afraid to cash giant checks for top talent in recent years, and it has paid off with four National League pennants since 2017.

“After 2026, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” said Smith. “That’s up to the front office. But it’s going to be a high price tag for him.”

Skubal previously turned down a short-term offer from Detroit, but Detroit Free Press insider Evan Petzold predicts a 10-year, $400 million deal for the southpaw, assuming he keeps up his elite production.

The production in question is a Cy Young award and his first All-Star nod last season with an AL-leading 2.39 ERA to go along with an MLB-leading 228 strikeouts to just 35 walks. This season Skubal is tossing a 2.19 ERA with an absurd 10.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio that leads the majors.

When asked about the free agent market this past spring training, Skubal spoke highly of the Dodgers and how they treat their most talented assets.

“You see with the Dodgers, right? A lot of guys want to go play there because they have a great organization, and they know they’re going to win, and they’re going to have a ton of success, and they’re paid pretty well to go there and play,” Skubal said. “Those are big goals as a player. You want to win, and then you want to get paid for your services. That’s the goal in baseball.”