The New York Mets missed the 2025 MLB postseason, and as a result, many expect them to make significant changes. Moreover, the Mets are also seen as a team that can pull off a big move this offseason.
According to an NL executive, the Mets make sense for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. “I think the Mets will go hard after him,” the executive told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com in an article published on November 12. “They have to make the playoffs next year.”
However, Jon Heyman of the New York Post said he doesn’t see the Tigers offloading their ace, despite only having one more year left on his current contract.
“A year ago, the Tigers made an offer,” Heyman said on November 19 during a live stream for Bleacher Report. “It was less than $80 million for four years. They were looking at two free-agent years at the time. I mean, that really was never going to get it done. I’m not really sure. It’s a smart front office. I’m not sure what they were intending to do there.
“Obviously, [Garrett] Crochet got double that right after, and Skubal was never going to sign anything like that anyway. I do think the Tigers will gauge the market. Do I think they’re going to trade them? Still doubtful. I wouldn’t rule it out. I would hold on to them because they are a good team.”
Mets Want a No. 1 Starting Pitcher
After missing the playoffs last season, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns spoke about the importance of having a true No. 1 starter. While he wasn’t explicitly asked about Skubal, it seems like pursuing an ace-type pitcher is a real possibility.
“I think if a front-line pitcher, top-of-the-rotation pitcher is available, we’re going to be involved in those discussions,” Stearns told Feinsand in his November 12 article. “There are limits to what we would do, as there would be for any player.
“But we do have the depth and quality of a farm system at this point that we can both have those players impact our Major League team in a real way and potentially trade some of them to get some really near-term help if that’s available.”
Tarik Skubal Continues to Hold Talks With Tigers
Skubal looks like he wants to stay in Detroit long-term. However, it’s a two-way street, and the Tigers will have to be willing to pay their No. 1 starter what elite starting pitching commands.
His agent, Scott Boras, is waiting for another offer from the Tigers, whether it comes from president of baseball operations Scott Harris or directly from owner Christopher Ilitch.
“We talk a lot. Through the concourse of the offseason, we’ll continue to discuss,” Boras said on November 12 at the general manager meetings before Skubal won the 2025 AL Cy Young Award (h/t Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press). “Our point of view is we always listen. We’re prepared to listen to about anything that Chris or really Scott has to say. We’ll just see how it goes.”
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