The Mets have their number, and it’s a big one.
If New York wants to land Tarik Skubal in free agency this offseason, it will likely have to go past $325 million, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. That figure has quickly become the line in the sand as Skubal’s market takes shape ahead of a 2026 MLB offseason that will be shortened by the looming December lockout.
“Skubal and agent Scott Boras is making it clear to teams they have no interest in a short-term deal, and yes, you better come in with an offer exceeding $325 million if you want a seat at the high-stakes table,” Nightengale reports.
That puts the Mets in familiar territory: chasing a star, and knowing the price won’t be small. The report makes clear that if they’re serious about signing Skubal, they’ll need to commit to a long-term deal and pay at a level that could reset the market for pitchers.
The current benchmark is Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which remains the largest deal ever signed by a pitcher. Skubal is aiming to top it, and he’s not looking for a quick solution.
That matters for New York, which was looking to do things differently last offseason when it targeted a short-term approach. This time, that route doesn’t appear to be on the table.
The Mets are widely viewed around MLB as the favorites to land Skubal if the Dodgers don’t re-sign him. Still, they’re not alone in the chase. The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are also mentioned as teams that could be in serious play.
For now, the picture is simple: the Mets may be in the best position to make a run, but they’ll have to clear a $325 million hurdle to do it. And even then, there’s no guarantee they come away with the two-time Cy Young winner.
In Other News...
Mets First Base Search Could Force A Costly Trade Decision
The Mets are already looking hard at first base this offseason, and the market is pointing them toward two very different paths. Alec Bohm is out there in free agency, while St. Louis first baseman Alec Burleson has emerged as a possible trade target after a strong recent season and with two years of club control still attached.
Burlesons appeal is obvious for a team trying to upgrade without creating another short-term hole, but that kind of player does not come cheap. If the Mets decide to pursue him seriously, they would likely have to part with controllable pitching and prospects, which turns a straightforward roster need into a much bigger organizational decision. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Linked To An Outfield Bat Who Could Spark A Bidding War
The winter market for Japanese outfielder Teruaki Sato is already shaping up to be one of the more intriguing pursuits on the board, and the Mets are right in the middle of it. Philadelphia is reportedly interested in adding Sato to help its outfield, but USA Todays Bob Nightengale says the Mets, Yankees and Padres are also viewing him as a top free-agent target after a season that featured 39 home runs and a .306 batting average.
For the Mets, the appeal is obvious. They have been linked to a bat with real impact potential, and Satos combination of power and production would make him a sought-after fit for a lineup looking for more thump. With multiple big-market teams involved, this is the kind of chase that can turn into a bidding war quickly, and the Mets figure to have company every step of the way. [Read more 🡒]
Mets First Base Search Just Took An Interesting Turn
The Mets search for help at first base is already taking shape, and Ty France has emerged as one of the names worth watching. New York is looking to strengthen the position this offseason, and France fits the kind of practical, middle-of-the-order depth the club has been weighing as it sorts through both free-agent and trade possibilities.
France is coming off a strong 2023 season with the Padres, which helps explain why he is in the mix alongside Alec Bohm as a potential target. The Mets are still in evaluation mode, but the fact that they are considering more than one route at first base suggests this could become one of the more interesting roster decisions of the winter. [Read more 🡒]