Detroit Tigers-turned-Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal entered free agency Wednesday as Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement nears expiration on December 1.
Skubal, 29, is in his seventh major league season and won the Cy Young Award twice. He was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2026 trade deadline. According to ESPN, he is scheduled to meet with the New York Mets next week in California.
TOP NEWS
The Mets have a clear need for front-line starting pitching and ownership with financial resources, making them a leading suitor. The Dodgers remain a logical destination given Skubal’s recent tenure with the club. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres also have rotation needs, according to reporting from October. The St. Louis Cardinals have payroll flexibility, per reporting from October 30.
Skubal declined to discuss his free agency plans after his team’s final game but has praised the Dodgers since the postseason ended. According to reporting from November 11, he has no interest in shorter-term, higher-dollar deals.
A panel of MLB insiders projects Skubal’s next contract at eight years and $355 million — a $44.6 million average annual value — with most expecting the deal to be finalized before the December 1 lockout begins.
More: MLB · New York Mets
