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The New York Mets are the industry favorites to sign Tarik Skubal, the top free agent on the market, and are scheduled to meet with the left-hander in California next week.
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reported the Mets’ standing Friday in a rundown of all 30 teams from the general managers meetings in Las Vegas. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns declined to comment on Skubal or other free agents, but ESPN reported that he made adding to the rotation the club’s top priority.
The Mets view only Nolan McLean and Christian Scott as locks for the 2027 rotation, according to ESPN.
Tarik Skubal’s Market Takes Shape Before A Potential Lockout
Skubal, who turns 30 on Nov. 20, is a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner. Over the last four seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, he went 50-20 with a 2.47 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He was not eligible for a qualifying offer after Detroit traded him to Los Angeles at the 2026 deadline.
ESPN reported that the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres also have meetings scheduled with Skubal. The Dodgers want him back but do not see themselves going as high as the $400 million he could command, according to ESPN. The Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles will not be in the bidding.
The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1. In earlier reporting this week, ESPN noted that any club chasing Skubal has to account for the possibility of a salary cap in the next agreement.
Mets Also Need Bullpen Help
Stearns said this week that the Mets have confidence in their in-house arms, and that a good segment of that group showed over the second half of the season that it could compete in the majors.
“We’re going to add to that group,” Stearns said. “There’s no question we’re going to add to that group.”
The bullpen is also on the list after the Mets traded four veteran relievers at the deadline. ESPN reported the club wants at least one left-hander and has shown interest in veteran free agents Brooks Raley, Alex Vesia, and Tim Hill.
New York could also add a right-handed-hitting first baseman for a platoon role, according to ESPN.
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