Mets Reportedly Schedule Meeting With Tarik Skubal As Sweepstakes Heats Up

The New York Mets have reportedly scheduled a meeting with Tarik Skubal sometime in the next week, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Skubal is the best free agent available this offseason, and the Mets have been widely considered one of the favorites to land him. Skubal is set to sign a record-breaking contract this winter, and Steve Cohen and the pitcher-needy Mets were always going to be suitors. Cohen has been involved in seemingly every marquee free agency sweepstakes in the last few years, and he was not going to change his ways with Skubal finally available. However, Cohen will have to once again win a bidding war, as he did for Juan Soto. "Skubal will be conducting multiple meetings with teams in California, with the Mets considered one of the favorites to land the two-time Cy Young winner due to their big need for pitching and even bigger ability to pay," wrote Heyman. Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand! Last season, Mets starters had a 4.47 ERA. If the team wants to reach the World Series, they will need to rebuild the starting rotation. More importantly, they need a true ace. Nolan McLean has the potential to be a star, and Christian Scott and Zac Thornton had solid seasons. Adding Skubal to the mix could set the Mets up for a much-anticipated return to the postseason. Skubal reportedly prefers the West Coast, but it's unknown if that preference would eliminate the Mets in his free agency. Still, Cohen has the pockets to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, who are both expected to make a push for the star pitcher. More MLB:  Reds Slugger Wins 2026 NL Rookie Of The Year