Thursday’s report in the New York Postthat the Detroit Tigers and Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal were $250 million apart on contract value landed as a significant development in this winter’s starting pitching trade market — a market in which the Mets will be involved.
If team and player are that far apart 12 months before Skubal hits free agency, it is logical to assume that the Tigers will explore trades.
Might Skubal remain with Detroit next season? Sure. But the Post story seemed like a big move in the other direction. A subsequent report in the Detroit Free Press added that the Tigers last year offered Skubal a four-year contract for less than $100 million.
Leaks like this more frequently precede baseball breakups than they do marriages.
The Mets are looking for pitching. In fact, they would love to have a best-in-class ace as soon as possible.
Paul Skenes is the dream target for any club seeking an ace, but teams that would be interested do not expect the Pittsburgh Pirates to make Skenes available. The Mets should call the Pirates just to be sure, but now Skubal seems far more attainable.
If (when?) the Tigers do take calls on Skubal, expect the Mets to be motivated and involved. While I don’t think the Mets would deal Nolan McLean for one year of any player — McLean is part of the future, not a trade piece — the Mets surely know that they would have to discuss just about any other prospect or young player to land Skubal.
Because the Tigers are in their window to win, they would probably want MLB talent in addition to top prospects like Jonah Tong and Jett Williams. For what it’s worth, Detroit has expressed interest in Brett Baty in the past.
The Mets like Baty, but in general are willing to shake up their current position player group. For a pitcher like Skubal, any team would part with good players.
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