Mets Land Good News Before Rumored Tarik Skubal Pursuit

Bleacher Report has named the New York Mets as the top contender to sign impending free-agent ace Tarik Skubal this winter. The left-hander will hit the open market as a free agent following the Los Angeles Dodgers' elimination in the NLCS. After finishing fifth in the NL East with a 74-88 record, the Mets aim to bolster a starting rotation that ranked 23rd in Major League Baseball with a 4.47 ERA.

Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, is projected to command a mid-nine-figure contract handled by agent Scott Boras. With owner Steve Cohen's demonstrated willingness to authorize massive payrolls, including MLB's highest 2026 Opening Day payroll at $352.2 million, New York could outbid rival suitors such as the Dodgers and Yankees to secure the frontline starter.