Could Tarik Skubal Be An Exception to Long-Term Pitcher Deals?

Robert Colonna of Metsmerized argues that pitcher Tarik Skubal could warrant an exception to New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns' perceived reluctance toward long-term pitching contracts. While media narratives often suggest Stearns avoids deals longer than three years, Colonna highlights past statements indicating Stearns would consider longer commitments for rare, elite talents who can sustain performance into their mid-to-late 30s.

Colonna notes that while Skubal's medical history includes an experimental elbow procedure and prior surgeries, his elite performance over the past three seasons sets him apart. Although pitchers with similar profiles historically missed time to injuries in their 30s, Colonna contends that Skubal's high-level output and lower career inning totals could make him worth the risk.