Mets trading for Tarik Skubal would be 'perfect' fit, writes ESPN's Jeff Passan

Billy Heyen

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Mets trading for Tarik Skubal would be 'perfect' fit, writes ESPN's Jeff Passan image

Tarik Skubal may be traded. He may not be traded.

There's still a lot to be determined for the Detroit Tigers' left-handed ace.

ESPN's Jeff Passan laid out Detroit's dilemma in a new article Tuesday:

There is no consensus throughout the industry. Some are convinced the Tigers will move the back-to-back AL Cy Young winner because, as one person said, "They have to." By which he means if the Tigers are not going to sign Skubal to a long-term contract before he hits free agency following the 2026 season -- the chasm between the parties is wide, though in reality not anywhere close to the quarter-billion-dollar figure some reports said -- then it would be malpractice not to get the enormous return package a year of his services would bring.

The other side argues that the Tigers would not only be doing a disservice to their 2026 roster by trading Skubal but to their clubhouse, which could rightfully question just how invested Detroit is in winning next season if it's trading the best pitcher in the world. Sometimes the right move is the wrong move, and this would be the foremost example of that.

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Passan then goes on to discuss what teams might be in the picture.

He calls the New York Mets "perfect" for this deal.

"The Mets would be perfect, particularly seeing as owner Steve Cohen wouldn't blink at giving out the largest contract ever to a pitcher," Passan writes.

The Mets had a really good team in 2025, but they didn't have a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Skubal would clearly become that guy, and for a long time to come.

New York may also want to make a splash after collapsing late and missing the playoffs entirely.

Skubal would be the biggest splash out there. Keep an eye on the Mets here.

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Contributing Writer