By HeadlinesXtra Sports Desk | November 12, 2026

Tarik Skubal pitching during the 2024 MLB Little League Classic
Tarik Skubal pitching for the Detroit Tigers during the 2024 MLB Little League Classic. Photo: Jeffrey Hyde / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

The race for Tarik Skubal is gathering momentum, with six Major League Baseball teams reportedly preparing to meet the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner as he considers his next move in free agency.

The New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are the four clubs publicly identified in the latest reporting. Two other teams remain undisclosed, adding another layer of intrigue to an offseason that could produce one of the richest contracts ever awarded to a starting pitcher.

The MLB.com free-agent tracker updated on November 11 lists four known teams and two mystery clubs expected to meet with Skubal. The Associated Press report published by The Washington Post also confirmed that six teams were expected to meet with the left-hander, although the identities of the other clubs were not disclosed at the time.

Mets And Dodgers Lead The Known Pursuit

The Mets have made their interest clear by arranging a meeting with Skubal and his representatives in California next week. New York enters the offseason looking to strengthen its starting rotation, and president of baseball operations David Stearns has said the club intends to add pitching.

According to MLB.com’s report on the Mets meeting, the organisation is prepared to evaluate major pitching opportunities. The presence of owner Steve Cohen, whose club has previously made substantial commitments to elite players, makes the Mets a serious contender if they decide to pursue a competitive offer.

The Dodgers are also firmly involved. General manager Brandon Gomes has acknowledged the club’s interest, while Los Angeles has the advantage of already knowing Skubal after acquiring him from Detroit during the 2026 season. The Dodgers must now weigh the value of retaining an elite starter against the financial and long-term implications of another major pitching contract.

Blue Jays And Padres Add Competition

Toronto’s expected meeting gives the Blue Jays another opportunity to pursue a marquee free agent. The club has demonstrated a willingness to compete for top talent, and adding Skubal would give its rotation another frontline option.

TheScore’s report identifies Toronto among the four known teams, alongside the Mets, Dodgers and Padres. The Blue Jays’ interest is also covered by Sportsnet.

San Diego’s involvement could make the contest more competitive. The Padres have shown an appetite for high-profile moves, but the financial scale of a potential Skubal contract would require a major commitment and careful roster planning.

Two Mystery Teams Could Change The Market

The identities of the remaining two clubs have not been confirmed in the latest six-team meeting reports. Their presence matters because a broader field of serious bidders could increase the pressure on every interested franchise.

Other teams have been connected to Skubal in wider offseason speculation. MLB.com has mentioned the Giants and Phillies among clubs that have expressed interest, but that should not be confused with confirmation that either is one of the two unidentified teams scheduled for a meeting.

A Record-Level Contract In View

Skubal’s 2026 regular season included a 12-7 record, a 2.72 earned-run average and 186 strikeouts across 26 starts for Detroit and Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press. Those numbers, combined with his status as a two-time AL Cy Young winner, put him in position to command a historic deal.

The current benchmark for the largest guaranteed contract given to a pitcher is Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million agreement with the Dodgers. MLB.com also notes that the record average annual value for a pitcher is approximately $43.33 million, shared by Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Skubal’s market could challenge one or both marks, depending on the length and structure of the eventual agreement.

December 1 Labour Deadline Adds Urgency

The approaching expiration of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement is another important factor. The agreement is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1, 2026. The Associated Press reports that a potential owners’ lockout would freeze signings and trades, creating an incentive for clubs and player representatives to make progress before the deadline.

That uncertainty could accelerate negotiations, although no final contract or preferred destination has been announced. Skubal and agent Scott Boras will have to balance the offers on the table against the risks of waiting through a possible work stoppage.

What Comes Next?

The scheduled meetings are an important step, but they do not guarantee that any team will sign the pitcher. The Mets can offer financial firepower and a clear need for a frontline starter; the Dodgers can make a case for continuity and championship contention; while Toronto and San Diego can present alternative paths and competitive plans.

The two unidentified clubs could still reshape the bidding. For now, the confirmed picture is four known suitors and two mystery teams, with Skubal at the centre of the MLB offseason. His decision may influence not only the pitching market but also how several contenders build their rosters for 2027.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Hyde, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0. No changes made to the photograph.

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