The New York Mets will meet with left-hander Tarik Skubal, the consensus top player on the free-agent market this offseason, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
The New York Post and The Athletic reported the meeting will take place next week. Mets executives are in Las Vegas this week attending MLB’s annual general managers’ meetings.
Skubal, who will turn 30 on Nov. 20, entered the market last month after an eventful contract year. He began the season with the Detroit Tigers, underwent elbow surgery in May but only missed 5 1/2 weeks, was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith on Aug. 2, and then pitched once each in the National League Division Series and National League Championship Series for LA.
Between Detroit and Los Angeles, Skubal posted a 12-7 record and 2.72 ERA in 26 games (all starts) last season. He struck out 186 batters in 158 2/3 innings. The injury and trade helped end Skubal’s streak of Cy Young awards at two. He won the AL award in 2024 and 2025.
Those accolades, plus his overall track record (66-44, 3.02 ERA lifetime), are why his next contract is expected to set a record for the largest given to a pitcher, surpassing the $325 million the Dodgers gave Yoshinobu Yamamoto in 2023. Skubal was awarded a record $32 million in his salary arbitration hearing against the Tigers in February.
The Mets’ reported interest in Skubal is not surprising. New York entered the offseason lacking a veteran ace. Rookie Nolan McLean is the club’s top returning starting pitcher.
Right-hander Clay Holmes missed a long stretch with a leg fracture and then was dealt to the Chicago Cubs at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Right-hander Freddy Peralta, a winter acquisition, was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 2.
The club’s current projected rotation includes McLean, left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Christian Scott and left-hander Zac Thornton. Right-handers Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill are also options.
New York will have stiff competition for Skubal. The Dodgers are expected to pursue him, and reports this week said the San Diego Padres also had interest.