Mets Eye Tarik Skubal Trade as Tigers Face Tough Decisions

The New York Mets are preparing to pursue a trade for Tarik Skubal if the Detroit Tigers make the standout pitcher available this winter. Skubal, currently regarded as one of the premier pitchers in Major League Baseball, is a strong contender for his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award. In the 2023 season, he recorded a notable 13-6 record, a 2.21 ERA, a 0.891 WHIP, and amassed 241 strikeouts over 195.1 innings pitched. Over his last 77 starts, Skubal has an impressive record of 38-13 with a 2.39 ERA and 571 strikeouts in 467.2 innings.

The future of Skubal with the Tigers is uncertain, particularly under the management of Christopher Ilitch, who took over ownership from his late father, Mike Ilitch. While Mike Ilitch was known for securing long-term deals with star players like Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, the current ownership’s approach has raised concerns. With Skubal set to enter free agency after the 2026 season, there has been little urgency from Ilitch to negotiate a contract extension. A report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press indicated that the extension offered last winter was for four years and under $100 million, significantly below Skubal’s market value.

When asked about the prospects of extending Skubal, Ilitch responded simply, “We’re in 2025 right now.” Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations, also avoided providing clarity on the situation, stating, “I can’t comment on our players being traded, I can’t comment on free agents, and I can’t comment on other teams’ players.”

The Tigers’ management has adopted a mid-market club mentality since Christopher Ilitch’s takeover, which complicates the team’s chances of retaining Skubal. Trading him would not only yield significant returns but also signal a retreat from their competitive position, particularly after the team experienced a late-season collapse that cost them the AL Central title. Despite this, the Tigers managed to advance past the Cleveland Guardians in the Wild Card Series before being eliminated by the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. Skubal’s performance in the postseason was exceptional, allowing only four earned runs in 20.2 innings pitched, with 36 strikeouts and a 1.74 ERA, despite Detroit’s losses in two of those three starts.

If the Tigers determine they cannot extend or re-sign Skubal, they may look to the trade market, either this winter or at the 2026 trade deadline. The Mets, who are in desperate need of a strong arm following a disappointing season, could be serious contenders for Skubal. The team’s pitching rotation suffered considerable setbacks, leaving them with only a few viable options, including top prospect Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes.

Acquiring Skubal would require Mets’ president of baseball operations David Stearns to reconsider his stance on investing heavily in starting pitching. It is likely that the Mets would need to part with some of their top prospects, with McLean probably off the table in negotiations. The Mets might consider including one of Jonah Tong or Brandon Sproat, along with prospects like outfielder Carson Benge, ranked No. 2 by MLB.com, or infielder/outfielder Jett Williams, ranked No. 3.

Additionally, there is interest from the Tigers in Brett Baty, who has shown potential as the Mets’ everyday third baseman. Including him in a trade package could enhance negotiations, especially since Baty has indicated he can be a reliable contributor for the Mets moving forward.

As the trade discussions heat up, the future of Tarik Skubal remains a pivotal point for both the Tigers and the Mets, with potential implications for the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.