Tigers Star Tarik Skubal Attracts Mets' Interest

The New York Mets are reportedly setting their sights on one of the most talented pitchers in baseball, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who could be available for trade this offseason. According to Will Sammon from The Athletic, the Mets are expected to engage in trade discussions concerning Skubal as the offseason approaches.

Trade Talks in the Works

Sammon indicated that the Tigers may request a significant return for their star pitcher, potentially asking for two top-level starting pitchers and a promising position player prospect. This development arises amidst reports of a significant gap in contract negotiations between Skubal and the Tigers, reportedly nearing $250 million.

Contract Discrepancies

Jon Heyman from the New York Post revealed that Detroit's recent offer to Skubal in 2024 was substantially lower than the $170 million deal of Garrett Crochet from the Boston Red Sox last offseason. Skubal, on the other hand, is anticipated to seek a groundbreaking contract worth $400 million, which would surpass all previous deals for full-time starting pitchers.

Skubal’s Stellar Performance

After winning his first AL Cy Young Award in 2024, Skubal continued to display exceptional performance this season. The 28-year-old ranked second in earned run average (ERA) at 2.21, second in strikeouts with 241, and led all of Major League Baseball in walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) at 0.89, finishing the regular season with a 13-6 record.

Postseason Excellence

In three playoff appearances, he showcased his skills with a remarkable 1.74 ERA and 0.68 WHIP, accumulating 36 strikeouts over 20.2 innings. Skubal is poised to win his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award, a remarkable feat that would make him the first Tigers pitcher to achieve back-to-back wins and only the second in team history to secure the honor twice.

The Future Uncertain

As the offseason approaches, the primary question surrounding Skubal centers on who will ultimately sign him if the Tigers cannot bridge the contract gap. While Detroit aims to retain their ace, it seems likely that multiple teams, including the Mets, are prepared to make competitive trade offers to acquire a pitcher of Skubal's caliber.