The New York Mets are in dire need of bolstering their starting rotation this offseason, following a devastating collapse that kept them out of the playoffs.
One bold move could be pursuing Detroit Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal in a massive blockbuster trade. With Skubal’s contract set to expire after next season, the Tigers might be open to dealing him this winter.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently forecasted that the Mets could emerge victorious in a potential race to acquire Skubal, landing the star pitcher in a shocking trade.
“These are fortune-changing type of talents. Skubal should be closing in on his second consecutive AL Cy Young award, and Peralta surely placed himself on the NL ballot after going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings,” Buckley wrote.
“So, why would either team consider trading them away? Because free agency awaits both in 2026, and with the risk of them leaving for nothing feeling very real, it might be the best business decision to get something in return for their stars while they still can. While Skubal is the higher-profile player here, he also feels more likely to be traded, if only due to the apparently gargantuan gap in early contract talks between him and the Tigers. That should give Detroit at least some motivation to consider a move, and we’re guessing someone offers up a prospect-rich package it simply can’t refuse.”
While a Skubal trade seems improbable at this stage, the situation could escalate rapidly. If the Tigers believe they can’t re-sign him beyond next season, a blockbuster deal could materialize swiftly if a contender presents an irresistible prospect package.
The Mets, armed with elite pitching prospects, are well-positioned to construct such a trade.
Of course, New York will not be the only team with potential interest in trading for Skubal. Plenty of teams around the league would also line up with offers.
However, the Mets are motivated to get back to being a World Series contender. Perhaps they can swing a deal for Skubal after landing superstar outfielder Juan Soto last offseason.
