Mets Eyeing Record-Breaking Deal for Tarik Skubal

The New York Mets are expected to target starting pitching help this offseason, with two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal emerging as a potential target, as Sports Illustrated reports. Starting pitching has been a persistent issue for New York over the last two seasons, contributing to the team falling short of expectations.

MLB insider Chelsea Janes reported via SNY.tv that there is a "general consensus" that owner Steve Cohen will pay "whatever it takes" to land the hard-throwing lefty. Cohen has previously demonstrated a willingness to commit massive sums to free agents, such as the record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract awarded to Juan Soto in December 2024. Additionally, Sports Illustrated notes that Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns previously traveled to Japan to pursue Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who ultimately signed a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While recent starting-pitching contracts include Max Fried's eight-year, $218 million deal with the New York Yankees, Dylan Cease's seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Corbin Burnes' six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Skubal is expected to exceed those figures. Sports Illustrated suggests a potential 10-year, $350 million contract from the Mets could reset the market for starting pitchers, potentially including a no-trade clause similar to the one granted to Soto.