I have a hard time imagining what someone smart would do. But we are all about speculating so it’s a fair question.
I think the first question is actually less about Skubal specifically than it is about the vision of what kind of franchise this is and if you are you willing to make exceptions.
Do we run with the big dogs or not? If we are willing to run with the big dogs, what limits are there?
Skubal could be a special case — a once in several generations cornerstone player that is the face of the franchise — and if you decide that he’s important enough, you can do everything possible to keep him.
Harris has led us to believe that things like this are conceivable. He doesn’t rule it out.
I think they will try really hard to keep him, and if he really likes being here and likes the chemistry and camaraderie of the team and the promise of its trajectory, he might stay. But he’s going to have to be treated with respect in regard to all the other offers he sees. I don’t think it’s realistic to expect a family discount from him. Maybe some of these intangibles will be meaningful to him, but I don’t know.