The New York Mets are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Tarik Skubal, but they're playing down their chances of signing him. Rival teams aren't convinced, however, with New York viewed as a serious threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for the ace.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Mets are downplaying their chances of landing Skubal. However, rival executives reportedly believe New York could present the Dodgers' toughest competition.

The Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays also have meetings scheduled with Skubal before Thanksgiving. That growing interest could turn his free agency into an expensive bidding war.

Skubal and agent Scott Boras have reportedly made their contract expectations clear. They aren't interested in a short-term agreement, with teams needing to offer more than $325 million to seriously enter negotiations.

That figure would surpass the $325 million deal Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with Los Angeles in December 2023, setting a new benchmark for pitchers.

For New York, the financial demands present another major offseason decision. Owner Steve Cohen has demonstrated his willingness to spend, particularly after the Mets missed the postseason in 2026.

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Still, signing Skubal wouldn't automatically address every weakness. The Mets need additional pitching depth beyond one superstar, making their offseason strategy especially important.

For now, the Mets may continue minimizing expectations publicly. But with a meeting approaching and rival teams watching closely, their reported interest remains difficult to dismiss.

Whether New York ultimately submits a record-setting offer could determine how seriously its poker face holds up.