Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is one of MLB's best pitchers.
$400 Million Tarik Skubal, Mets Report Emerges on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is putting together one of the most dominant seasons by any pitcher in recent years. The 28-year-old left-hander owns a 10-3 record, a sparkling 2.19 ERA and 164 strikeouts through 127.2 innings, helping Detroit surge to the top of the American League. On Sunday, he struck out 11 as the Tigers edged the Texas Rangers 2-1 to become the first team in the MLB to reach 60 wins this season.
That dominance has accelerated chatter about Skubal’s long-term future. The Tigers control him through the 2026 season, but it appears to be a given that his next contract will be massive.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Skubal is on track to command a deal worth as much as $400 million once he hits the open market. Olney pointed to three franchises with the financial muscle and competitive appeal to land him: the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
While all three are expected to be major players, the Mets might have an edge: Skubal’s childhood idol, Eric Chavez, is their hitting coach.
Buster Olney: “Tarik Skubal is set to land 400 million after the 2026 season. The question is whether it will come from the Yankees, Dodgers or Mets.”
— Ben Yoel (@Ben_Yoel) July 21, 2025
Skubal grew up an A’s fan and idolized Eric Chavez. Eric Chavez just happens to be the Mets current hitting coach.
Skubal grew up an Oakland Athletics fan and has credited Chavez as one of his early baseball inspirations. That personal connection, along with the Mets’ need for a true ace, could place New York as a potential front-runner when the bidding begins.
For the Mets, landing a reliable pitcher of Skubal’s caliber would cement their rotation and elevate their World Series hopes, while the reigning AL Cy Young winner would have the opportunity to play in a big market.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
