Mets Emerge As Favorites For Tarik Skubal In Sweepstakes Testing David Stearns

The New York Mets have emerged as a top contender to sign Tarik Skubal to a contract that could climb above $300 million and potentially past $400 million.

That move would test president of baseball operations David Stearns' history of never giving a starting pitcher a major commitment in years and dollars.

Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, hit the open market Tuesday when the Los Angeles Dodgers' exclusive five-day negotiating window expired.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Dodgers' window would lead nowhere, and every team now gets its chance.

The Mets, according to NJ.com, are considered a favorite to land him.

The expected price is well above $300 million and possibly past $400 million, Passan reported.

The pitcher record for guaranteed money is Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers, MLB.com noted.

Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander share the annual-value record at $43.33 million.

Executives and agents told MLB.com that Skubal could top both.

SNY reported that an eight-year deal worth around $350 million would not be a surprise.

Skubal is a client of agent Scott Boras.

Boras has a history of using multiple clubs as leverage in contract negotiations.

Analysts and fans have raised concerns that Boras is utilizing interested clubs as mere leverage, with insiders questioning whether Skubal's eventual payday will match historic record numbers amid cautious team interest.

The Mets missed the playoffs for a second straight year in 2026.

MLB.com noted that Stearns has never given a starter a major commitment in years and dollars.

Still, SNY called Skubal the only true ace on the market.

The Mets have young arms already in place: Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zac Thornton.

The Mets have roughly $281 million committed for 2027, including Bo Bichette.

Contracts for Sean Manaea ($22 million), Jorge Polanco ($20 million) and Kodai Senga ($15 million) come off the books after next season.

Passan wrote that Skubal would be a strong start, but the Mets would still need bullpen help, another starter and two more productive bats.

Only then, he said, could they stand with the Braves and Phillies, let alone the Marlins and Nationals, who both improved in 2026.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the other obvious suitor.

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez wrote Monday that Skubal seemed to truly enjoy his two and a half months in Los Angeles.

Gonzalez said Skubal would likely favor a return if the money were equal.

It is unclear whether the Dodgers will match the Mets given the threat of a salary cap, Gonzalez reported.

Skubal himself spoke warmly of the clubhouse.

"I find it very easy to get along with guys that have the same goals as mine, which is to win the World Series," he told ESPN.

The Dodgers are deep in starting pitching, with Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow under contract for 2027.

ESPN noted that Ohtani will not pitch a full season and that Snell and Glasnow routinely do not either.

Other clubs could join the chase.

MLB.com listed the Blue Jays, Phillies and Cubs as possible suitors.

The Cubs are eager to sign him but are unsure they can match the money involved, Passan reported.

Chicago's need is acute after Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman and Matthew Boyd all hit free agency.

Skubal also told MLB.com that he would be happy to return to the Detroit Tigers, though that outlet called a bidding war there unlikely.