The New York Mets plan to meet with free-agent pitcher Tarik Skubal and his representatives in Los Angeles next week as the club explores additions to its pitching staff, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, citing a source with knowledge of the meeting.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns declined to discuss Skubal at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday. He nevertheless made clear that New York intends to acquire pitching and disputed the idea that he would rule out a lengthy contract.
Stearns leaves room for a long-term deal
Stearns said the Mets have pursued lengthy pitching agreements during his tenure and would consider doing so again, with each decision dependent on the individual pitcher and circumstances.
“The specific circumstance matters, and we do have to look at every individual pitcher on a case-by-case basis,” Stearns said.
The Dodgers also intend to meet with Skubal, general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday. Neither team’s planned meeting establishes that a contract agreement is imminent.
Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner who turns 30 next week, is positioned to command a major commitment. DiComo reported that many in the industry expect his contract to exceed Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million agreement with Los Angeles.
Performance and durability shape the decision
Over the past four seasons with the Tigers and Dodgers, Skubal has compiled a 50-20 record, a 2.47 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP, according to DiComo’s report.
His workload and health history also figure into the evaluation. The report notes multiple elbow surgeries since 2023 and 925 1/3 career innings across seven major league seasons. His career-high workload was 195 1/3 innings last year.
Stearns’ largest pitching agreement with the Mets remains Sean Manaea’s three-year, $75 million contract signed before the 2025 season. That commitment exceeded any pitching deal Stearns made during his years running baseball operations in Milwaukee.
Owner Steve Cohen previously approved contracts carrying substantial annual salaries for Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander before Stearns joined the Mets. Cohen also authorized a long-term pursuit of Yamamoto, who ultimately chose the Dodgers.
Stearns said he expects Cohen to continue providing financial support for the baseball operations department this offseason.
Young arms will get help
The Mets expect Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton and Jonah Tong to contribute in 2027. Manaea and Kodai Senga are also returning for the final seasons of their contracts.
Tylor Megill is expected to be healthy after missing the season following Tommy John surgery, DiComo reported. Jonathan Santucci, the organization’s No. 2 prospect, leads another group of pitchers approaching major league readiness.
That depth will not keep New York out of the market. Stearns expressed confidence in the young pitchers’ second-half progress while emphasizing that outside additions remain necessary.
“There’s no question we’re going to add to that group,” he said.
Other routes remain available
If the Mets do not sign Skubal, DiComo identified Clay Holmes and Michael King as other leading free-agent pitching options. Potential trade possibilities include Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen, Minnesota’s Joe Ryan and the Angels’ Reid Detmers, though the report does not establish that those pitchers will be dealt.
New York used the trade market to acquire Freddy Peralta last offseason, then traded him and other players at this year’s deadline. Those sales added prospects the Mets could use in another trade pursuit.
The planned Skubal meeting gives the club a chance to advance one prominent option while Stearns continues evaluating the broader pitching market.
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