Is there an early favorite in Skubal sweepstakes?
MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding free agent Tarik Skubal.
Nov. 9: Could Mets be a favorite for Skubal?
After signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million megadeal prior to 2025, the Mets could be poised to land another top free agent.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, New York is the current favorite to land Skubal, ahead of the incumbent Dodgers. A number of other teams are involved, too: Heyman mentioned the Padres, Giants, Phillies and Blue Jays as possible suitors for the ace left-hander.
Despite ESPN’s Jeff Passan hearing that the Cubs “badly” want Skubal to help fill glaring starting-pitching needs, Chicago will seemingly sit out the race. The Cubs “appear unlikely to enter the bidding war” for Skubal, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic (subscription required).
Sharma also notes that, despite not competing for Skubal, the Cubs are expected to “at least check in on” every other free-agent pitcher. Each of the five pitchers in Chicago’s end-of-season 2026 rotation has become a free agent (Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman).
The 29-year-old Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, could set new contract records for a pitcher this offseason, both for the largest guaranteed contract (currently Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million) and highest average annual value (Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander’s $43.33 million).
For the Dodgers, who sent three prospects to the Tigers to acquire Skubal at the Trade Deadline, that could complicate things. The Athletic’s Katie Woo (subscription required) reports that Los Angeles would be unlikely to meet a contract that extends beyond Yamamoto’s 12-year deal.
The Dodgers could, however, draw on last year’s deal with Kyle Tucker for inspiration. They landed the star outfielder on a shorter term with a high AAV (four years, $240 million).
Nov. 3: Who is in on Skubal?
Skubal is far and away the best free agent on the market this offseason, and many assume the Dodgers will be making a strong effort to re-sign him after surrendering three prospects to acquire the left-hander at the Trade Deadline.
But Los Angeles could face significant competition in the Skubal sweepstakes. The Mets’ starting-pitching needs and big budget make them an obvious fit. Bo Bichette's decision to opt into his contract has made the Mets less inclined to pursue Japanese third baseman Teruaki Sato in free agency and means they are "largely focused on their starting pitching staff for major free-agent acquisitions," The Athletic (subscription required) reports.
The Cubs are expected to be in the mix for Skubal as well. With Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, Matthew Boyd, David Peterson and Colin Rea all on the free-agent market, Chicago’s rotation needs are glaring. ESPN’s Jeff Passan hears the Cubs “badly want Skubal,” though it’s questionable whether they’ll be willing to offer him the type of megadeal he’s likely to command from other organizations.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, the Yankees are “thinking about” making a push for Skubal, too. The Bronx Bombers’ rotation is stacked, but they could sign Skubal and then trade from their stockpile of starters to address other needs.
McDaniel lists the Padres, Angels and White Sox as “sleepers with ownership changes behind the interest.”
MLB.com senior national reporter Mark Feinsand has more on Skubal’s market here.
Oct. 29: Skubal now a free agent
After the Brewers put the finishing touches on their first World Series title Wednesday night, free agency is now underway.
Skubal is the crown jewel of this year's free-agent class, and MLB.com's Mark Feinsand took a look at the two-time Cy Young Award winner's potential market right here.