Latest Tarik Skubal Rumors on 'Industry Favorites' to Land Star amid Mets, Dodgers Links

The New York Mets could be poised to hand out another historic contract in free agency as they look to rebound following their disappointing 74-88 record in 2026.

Per ESPN's Jorge Castillo, Alden Gonzalez and Jesse Rogers, the Mets are viewed as "industry favorites" to sign Tarik Skubal with the two sides set to meet next week.

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain interested in bringing back Skubal, though they reportedly prefer to do a short-term deal with a high average annual salary similar in structure to the four-year, $240 million contract Kyle Tucker signed last offseason.

Most predictions have Skubal signing the richest deal ever for a pitcher. MLB Trade Rumors, for instance, is projecting a nine-year, $425 million contract for the 29-year-old.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers is currently the high-water mark for a starting pitcher. Gerrit Cole (nine years, $324 million) is the only other pitcher with a contract worth at least $300 million.

Mets owner Steve Cohen has not shied away from spending on marquee players. Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor are two of the eight highest-paid position players in MLB. Soto's $765 million deal is the richest in the history of North American pro sports.

Skubal and his representatives are believed to have meetings set up with at least six teams right now, including the Mets, Dodgers and San Diego Padres. The Toronto Blue Jays are also said to have interest in the two-time AL Cy Young winner, as well as two mystery teams.

One team that appears to have been ruled out on Skubal is the Chicago Cubs. Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reported on Monday the Cubs are "unlikely" to enter the bidding for the star pitcher, despite their need for help on the mound.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns told reporters at the general managers' meetings this week there is "no question" they will add to their rotation this offseason, though he noted they are looking at various way to do so:

"We have a lot of confidence in the arms we have in-house and a good segment of that group showed over the second half of the year that they can compete at a high level in the major leagues. We're going to add to that group. There is no question we're going to add to that group. I firmly believe we have got some really talented arms that can pitch at the top of the rotation."

Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea and Christian Scott are the only Mets pitchers currently under contract who threw at least 100 innings for the team in 2026. McLean and Scott were the only ones to make at least 20 starts last season.

Skubal posted a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts in 158.2 innings across 26 starts between the Dodgers and Detroit Tigers last season.