Tarik Skubal is the clear-cut top name in MLB free agency. Skubal is expected to sign with a team prior to the likely MLB Lockout on December 1.
So, the race is most definitely on.
MLB insider Jon Heyman discussed the pursuit of Skubal on MLB Network Wednesday, and indicated that there are as many as six teams in hot pursuit of the two-time American League Cy Young award winner.
“It’ll be fast. It’ll be faster than the Juan Soto pursuit a couple of years ago,” Heyman said. “Soto signed in early December at the Winter Meetings. We probably won’t have a Winter Meetings here. December 1, the lockout is looming. The deal is very likely to get done before that. I would say it’s 99.9 percent likely. We’ve got at least six teams going to Orange County, California to meet with Skubal and his representative Scott Boras next week. The Mets are one of those teams. The Dodgers, the incumbent team, will be meeting with Skubal. The Padres, a very aggressive team, will be meeting with Skubal. They actually got a head start last night with AJ Preller huddling with the Boras camp. I can report that the Blue Jays are a fourth team that is expected to meet [with Boras]. That’s four out of the six, and that leads us to two mystery teams.”
These “mystery teams” are likely big market teams that have pockets deep enough to pay Skubal.
Tarik Skubal to Yankees free agency rumors
The Yankees already have one of the best rotations in MLB, but the cliche of “you can never have too much pitching” is one of the truest statements in sports.
Brian Cashman’s main objective this offseason is to re-sign relief pitcher David Bednar.
Particularly with the potential lockout and a potential salary cap looming, the conservative Steinbrenner is unlikely to throw a pile of money at both Bednar and Skubal.
Tarik Skubal to Red Sox free agency rumors
Like the Yankees, the Red Sox’s days of signing marquee free agents to massive, longterm contracts appear to be coming to an end. Owner John Henry is perfectly happy with Boston operating like small market club. The fact that the Brewers and Rays were this year’s World Series finalists will likely only embolden that strategy.
If the Red Sox are to open up the checkbook over the course of the next few weeks, they are more likely to target offensive firepower over pitching.
Boston finished 26th in MLB in home runs this past season.
Tarik Skubal to Tigers free agency rumors
It would be quite the coup for Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris to get Skubal back on his roster a little over three months after trading him to the Dodgers.
Tigers fans would obviously love for this dream to come true, but it will likely remain a pipe-dream.
Owner Christopher Illitch began last season with a top 10 payroll in MLB and his team wound up 76-86 on the year. Skubal is currently a free agent because he and the Tigers could not come to an agreement on a new contract prior to him being traded.
Skubal does have an affinity for Detroit, having played there for over six years. So the door is open a crack.
“I would love to play my whole career in Detroit,” he said on the “Pardon My Take” podcast this past August. “I would love to. And hopefully those negotiations pick back up in November once the playoffs are done. And we’ll see where that goes.
“Hopefully they’re involved with everything; I would love to return. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the City of Detroit and the manager, the coaching, the staff, the trainers, the teammates; it’s tough.”
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