Tarik Skubal’s free-agency sweepstakes are moving fast, and the list of teams in the mix keeps growing.
The two-time Cy Young winner is set to meet with the Mets, Padres, Blue Jays and Dodgers, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He’s the top name on the market, and he wants a deal done before the expected MLB lockout begins on Dec. 1.
That urgency matters. Skubal is trying to lock in the biggest contract possible before the next Collective Bargaining Agreement potentially changes the financial landscape. The source material says that could mean tighter rules on big payrolls, heavier taxes for teams that push past spending thresholds, or even max contracts.
The Blue Jays have become a real factor in the chase. They’re expected to join the Mets, Padres and Dodgers in meeting with Skubal in California next week, sources told The Post.
Still, the prevailing belief is that this comes down to the Dodgers and Mets. The Cubs were also in the picture at one point, but they have reportedly backed out because of salary concerns.
If it does become a Dodgers-Mets decision, many around the league expect New York to come in with the highest total offer. Los Angeles, though, may counter with a shorter deal and a bigger average annual value. Either side could also push harder if the numbers start to drift and desperation sets in.
There’s also a strong sense that Skubal is comfortable with the Dodgers. He has fit in smoothly since arriving from the Detroit Tigers, and Blake Snell has been actively trying to bring the fellow left-hander back. The two have developed a strong friendship, and Snell has been recruiting him to return.
Family could also matter here. Skubal and his wife have relatives in Arizona, which is close to where the Dodgers hold Spring Training, and the travel from there to Los Angeles is much easier than making that trip to New York during the season.
In the end, Skubal’s decision will come down to what works best for him and his family, both financially and in terms of where they want to live. Snell believes the Dodgers have a real shot to keep him.
Los Angeles also enters the meeting without needing to sell itself from scratch. The Dodgers can lean on their status as World Series contenders and their culture, then focus on the contract details. The Mets, by contrast, will have to make the case that their organization is the right fit and that the salary they’re prepared to offer is enough to land him.
Money will still be the deciding factor, but the real question may be how much Skubal is willing to leave on the table to stay in L.A.
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