Mets and Dodgers Eyeing Skubal
The New York Mets are scheduled to meet with left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal next week in California. Skubal stands as the major prize of this offseason class. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns declined to comment on the team's pursuit at the general manager meetings on Tuesday. The Mets need a front-line starter badly, and owner Steve Cohen possesses deep pockets, making them an obvious landing spot after missing the postseason the past two years.
The other logical destination is a return to Los Angeles. The Dodgers acquired Skubal from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline for three prospects, and he finished the season with them. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said his team also expects to meet with Skubal in the coming days. Gomes noted that Skubal enjoyed his time with the team, and they loved having him.
Injury History and Stellar Resume
Skubal turns thirty on November 20. In 2026, he went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA across 158.6 innings. He missed six weeks early in the year after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body in his left elbow. This marked his third arm operation, following Tommy John surgery in 2017 and flexor tendon surgery in 2022.
Despite these procedures, he established himself as a top pitcher globally by winning back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025 for Detroit. Skubal is widely expected to set records for annual average value and total value for a full-time pitcher. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander hold the current annual record, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto holds the bar for the largest guarantee.
Financial Considerations and Team Rotations
Any club pursuing Skubal must consider potential salary caps starting as early as 2028 in the new collective bargaining agreement. The Dodgers have roughly $262 million on their payroll for 2028, while the Mets have about $197 million. For the Dodgers, Skubal would represent a luxury addition given their already deep rotation options. The Mets, meanwhile, are prioritizing multiple starters to bolster their rotation.
David Stearns noted that having a complete rotation is really important for getting through a postseason. Signing Skubal would require Stearns to do something he has never done in his career, which is signing a pitcher to a long-term contract. However, Skubal and the backing of owner Steve Cohen could prompt an exception to that trend.
Read next
- Football predictions today
- Jackpot predictions this week
- MLB and every other league
- MLB official website
Good to know: We are not paid for any link on this page.
Be the first to comment
Tell us who you think wins and why. Keep it friendly. Links are removed on their own.
Note: comments are the writer own opinion, not ours, and never a tip from us.
18+Read this before you bet
- There are no sure bets. Every tip on this page is a chance worked out from data about the next game. A tip at 70 percent still loses about three times in ten. Anyone selling a sure bet or a fixed match is lying.
- Betting is not income. Never bet to pay rent, school fees or a loan, and never borrow to bet, including from mobile loan apps.
- 18 and over only. Betting under 18 is illegal in Kenya.
- Use licensed bookmakers. Only bet with operators licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. Prices here can change before you bet, so check them first.
- Gambling can be addictive. If it stops being fun, stop. Read our responsible betting page or visit Responsible Gaming Federation of Kenya.
Good to know: We are not a bookmaker and we do not take bets. Full details are in our disclaimer.
