The New York Mets are preparing for the brief period of free agency before the conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Prior to that event that is scheduled for December 2, the Mets are expected to be one of the teams that makes a significant bid for high-profile free agent Tarik Skubal.
The long-time Detroit Tiger was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers shortly before the trade deadline last summer but he did not sign an extension with that team. As a result, the pitching sensation will hit the market and a huge offer is expected.
The Mets are clearly one of the teams that Skubal will be talking to because owner Steve Cohen has been committed to bringing in the best and most expensive free agents for several years. Mets insider Chelsea Janes discussed the situation on SNY, and she believes the Mets will make an offer to Skubal that could make him the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball.
However, while Skubal might want an offer that goes 9 or 10 years, the Mets are not likely to go past 6 or 7 years. She said the Mets don't mind paying out huge money — “7 years for $340 million” — a term that is longer than that is not likely to be acceptable.
If that figure is correct, Skubal would be paid an average of $48.57 million per season.
Skubal had a 12-7 record last season while pitching for the Tigers and Dodgers. He had 2.72 earned run average and struck out 186 batters in 158.2 innings.
Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award twice, is a two-time All Star and he also won the pitching triple crown. Skubal will turn 30 later this month and he has pitched 7 seasons in the big leagues.