Sep 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
In what is expected to be a frenzied November of free agency before Major League Baseball’s looming lockout on Dec. 1, the Mets are believed to be one of the “primary bidders” for two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported on Tuesday that New York and the Los Angeles Dodgers are the early leaders of the pack.
The expectation is that Skubal will sign before Dec. 1, which would ensure he gets a massive contract before the possibility of a salary cap is instituted. The soon-to-be-30-year-old could make between $300 million and $400 million on his next deal.
That sort of figure is something that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns would never go for when it comes to starting pitching. It is well known that he is hesitant to dole out big contracts for starting arms, but he did offer Yoshinobu Yamamoto a 12-year, $325 million contract three years ago — the same figure that he ultimately took to join the Dodgers.
Mets owner Steve Cohen would likely be the driving force of a Skubal pursuit should it actually happen, especially considering just how much he can help turn things around in Queens.
After this season’s stunning disappointment, the Mets need a legitimate ace to build a well-rounded rotation that will already feature Nolan McLean and Christian Scott. Skubal, who has a 2.42 ERA over the last three seasons, would certainly be that.
For more on Tarik Skubal and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
