Source: Mets to meet with prized ace Tarik Skubal next week - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — The New York Mets are scheduled to meet with left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal, the prize of this offseason's free agent class, next week in California, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, speaking at the general manager meetings, declined to comment on the team's pursuit of Skubal on Tuesday. But the Mets, between their acute need for a front-line starting pitcher and owner Steve Cohen's deep pockets, are an obvious possible landing spot for the two-time Cy Young Award winner after missing the postseason the past two years.

The other seemingly logical destination is a return to Los Angeles, where Skubal finished the season after the Dodgers acquired him from the Detroit Tigers for three prospects at the trade deadline. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said his team also expects to meet with Skubal at some point in the coming days.

«I know that he enjoyed his time here,» Gomes said. «We loved having him, so I think that's certainly helpful as far as these conversations go. And outside of that, he's earned the right to be in this position and figure out what's best for him and his family. So we'll have those conversations as things go.»

The New York Post first reported the Mets' plan to meet with Skubal.

Skubal, who turns 30 on Nov. 20, went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 158⅔ innings in 2026. He missed six weeks early in the season after undergoing a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body in his left elbow. It was Skubal's third arm operation since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2017 while in college.

He also underwent flexor tendon surgery in 2022. He established himself as one of the top pitchers in the world upon his return,