Copyright Newsweek
The New York Mets desperately need to add starting pitching this winter, especially after their horrible collapse to miss the postseason this season. They could look to target the biggest fish on the market, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, in a league-altering deal. Skubal's contract expires at the end of next season, so the Tigers could look to trade him this winter. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently predicted the Mets would win the potential Skubal sweepstakes and swing a blockbuster deal for the ace. "These are fortune-changing type of talents. Skubal should be closing in on his second consecutive AL Cy Young award, and Peralta surely placed himself on the NL ballot after going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings," Buckley wrote. "So, why would either team consider trading them away? Because free agency awaits both in 2026, and with the risk of them leaving for nothing feeling very real, it might be the best business decision to get something in return for their stars while they still can. "While Skubal is the higher-profile player here, he also feels more likely to be traded, if only due to the apparently gargantuan gap in early contract talks between him and the Tigers. That should give Detroit at least some motivation to consider a move, and we're guessing someone offers up a prospect-rich package it simply can't refuse." It should be seen as unlikely for Skubal to be moved at this point, but this potential trade sweepstakes could heat up very quickly. If the Tigers are certain they won't be able to retain him after next season, a trade could come together as quickly as a contender offers up a huge haul to land him. The Mets have the top pitching prospects to make a deal happen.
