Before Dec. 1, Mets Meeting Puts Likely Deadline on Tarik Skubal’s Free Agency Signing
Mets pursue a top pitcher
The Mets need an ace this winter, and Skubal could address that need. Heyman of the New York Post reports that the pitcher is scheduled to meet with New York in California next week.
A signing deadline looms
Heyman reports that Skubal plans to sign before Dec. 1, the scheduled expiration date of baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement. The article says Skubal is seeking a deal of at least seven years.
Some league bargaining proposals would limit the term of free-agent contracts, making a pre-expiration agreement potentially important to Skubal. Any contracts signed before a lockout would need to be grandfathered into a new agreement, according to the article.
Contract timing could affect bidding
A long-term deal would depart from David Stearns’ traditional approach to building rotations, though he could make an exception for Skubal. The Mets are described as positioned to take on such a contract, with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto the only players on guaranteed deals beyond the 2028 season.
The article says uncertainty about baseball’s future financial rules has left some teams unsure how to operate this winter. If the process continues beyond a lockout, the Dodgers could become a stronger bidder, despite reported hesitation about another long-term contract amid possible salary-cap changes.
Key points
- Skubal is scheduled to meet with the Mets in California next week, according to Jon Heyman.
- The San Diego Padres are also identified as a team to watch in Skubal’s meetings.
- Skubal reportedly intends to sign before the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1.
- The Dodgers could become a greater threat if Skubal remains unsigned after a lockout.