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See the full story · 1 sourcesMets get $280M Tarik Skubal prediction that would be dream-come-true originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The New York Mets sold at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, but anyone celebrating their failure this season should be prepared for Steve Cohen to get aggressive over the offseason.
Cohen and David Stearns are likely to look towards the free agent market to make a splash, and fortunately for them, there's an incredible starting pitcher set to be available. Tarik Skubal, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers , is going to be a free agent.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller is predicting that the Mets will actually win the Skubal sweepstakes this offseason, signing him to a six-year, $280 million contract in what would be a dream-come-true scenario for the Mets after a disastrous 2026 season.
Mets predicted to sign Tarik Skubal to a six-year, $280M deal in free agency
"Most likely, though, it'll be Steven Cohen's checkbook winning this one," Miller writes. "Prediction: 6 years, $280M with the New York Mets."
The Mets are going to be desperate for starting rotation help after trading away Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, while Kodai Senga and others have disappointed.
Getting a true ace to pair with Nolan McLean would be massive for this ball club. Skubal would certainly fit the bill.
He has a 2.81 ERA this season with 3.1 bWAR, and it's been a down year for him after missing a huge chunk of the season due to elbow surgery.
Skubal won back-to-back Cy Young awards in 2024 and 2025 with the Detroit Tigers and earned a massive $32 million contract through arbitration for the 2026 MLB season.
He's bound to receive a record-breaking deal in free agency, and while this $280 million prediction over six years would make for a ridiculous $46.6M APY deal, Skubal might be looking to break a different kind of record.
MORE : Tigers feared Tarik Skubal ’ s trade market would disappear if they waited too long to trade him
Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed a $325M contract with the Dodgers, which is the most total money for a starter ever. The Mets, or any team, interested in Skubal might have to beat $325 million.
It would take a longer-term contract, but this $280M deal over six years wouldn't be a terrible alternative for Skubal, as it'd set the new APY record for a starting pitcher.
Regardless of how it's done, whether it's by APY or total value, the Mets being able to land Skubal during free agency would be a massive win for the franchise after a terrible 2026 season.
If this is the kind of season the Mets need to have to land Skubal, it'd be worth it at the end of the day. That's how good Skubal is, and how big of an impact he could be for this franchise.
This $280 million, six-year contract Miller is predicting the Mets will sign Skubal for is a wild one. But, regardless of how it's done, adding Skubal to the Mets' rotation in free agency would be a dream-come-true.
More MLB news:
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Red Sox get 8.2% chance to win World Series, which is more than Yankees ’ odds
Dave Dombrowski reveals why Phillies didn't trade for a righty-hitting outfielder
Brewers ‘ toyed ’ with idea of trading for Padres closer Mason Miller
Yankees ‘ dabbled ’ in trade talks for Tarik Skubal despite not willing to deal George Lombard Jr.
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