The New York Mets may have fallen short of expectations during the 2026 season, but their struggles could ultimately lead to an aggressive offseason from owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns.

After selling at the MLB trade deadline, New York appears positioned to focus heavily on rebuilding its roster once free agency begins, and one of the biggest names expected to hit the market could become the centerpiece of that effort.

That pitcher is Tarik Skubal, who is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is expected to reach free agency.

Given his track record and status as one of baseball’s premier starting pitchers, Skubal is likely to attract enormous interest from teams looking for a legitimate ace.

The Mets, meanwhile, could have both the financial resources and the motivation to make a serious run at him.

Mets Predicted to Make Skubal Their Biggest Target

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has gone a step further, predicting that New York will ultimately win the bidding for Skubal.

Miller projects that the Mets could sign the left-hander to a six-year contract worth $280 million.

Such a deal would represent a massive commitment, but it would also give the Mets exactly the kind of frontline starter they could desperately need following a disappointing season.

Cohen has never been afraid to spend aggressively when he believes a star can transform the roster, and Skubal would certainly qualify as that type of player.

Miller believes the Mets’ financial muscle could ultimately make the difference in what could become one of the most competitive free-agent pursuits of the offseason.

A Potential $280 Million Blockbuster

The proposed six-year, $280 million contract would average roughly $46.7 million per season, putting Skubal among the highest-paid pitchers in baseball on an annual basis.

Miller’s prediction essentially comes down to the belief that Cohen’s willingness to spend could separate the Mets from the rest of the competition.

Skubal is expected to command a massive contract because of his recent dominance and his position as one of the game’s elite starters.

Even if the exact terms differ from the projection, his free agency could produce one of the largest pitching contracts in MLB history.

Mets Desperately Need Rotation Help

The Mets’ need for starting pitching could make Skubal an especially attractive target.

New York entered the season with significant expectations but ultimately moved in the opposite direction, eventually becoming sellers at the trade deadline.

The club also traded away key arms, including Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, leaving additional questions surrounding the future composition of the rotation.

Kodai Senga and other pitchers have also failed to provide the level of consistency the Mets were hoping to receive.

Adding a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber would immediately change the outlook of the rotation.

Instead of simply adding another arm to provide innings, New York would be bringing in a legitimate ace capable of anchoring the entire pitching staff.

Skubal Would Give Mets a True Ace

A potential pairing between Skubal and Nolan McLean could give the Mets a formidable foundation at the top of their rotation.

Skubal has posted a 2.81 ERA during the 2026 season despite dealing with an elbow injury that caused him to miss a significant portion of the year.

His current campaign may not match the incredible heights of his previous seasons, but his performance still demonstrates why teams are expected to line up for his services.

The Mets would be betting on Skubal returning fully to his dominant form and becoming the centerpiece of their pitching staff for years to come.

Two-Time Cy Young Winner

Skubal’s résumé is one of the biggest reasons his upcoming free agency is expected to generate so much attention.

The left-hander won consecutive American League Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025 while with the Detroit Tigers, establishing himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the sport.

He also earned a $32 million salary through arbitration for the 2026 season, an indication of just how highly valued he already was before reaching free agency.

At only 29 years old, Skubal is entering the market at a point where a team could reasonably expect several prime seasons from him.

Could Skubal Set a New Pitching Contract Record?

The projected $280 million deal would be enormous, but it might not even represent the upper limit of what Skubal could receive.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto currently holds the record for the largest total contract ever given to a starting pitcher after signing a $325 million deal with the Dodgers.

Any team determined to land Skubal could potentially have to approach or exceed that figure.

A shorter six-year contract worth $280 million would not surpass Yamamoto’s total guarantee, but the average annual value would be extraordinary at approximately $46.7 million per season.

That could potentially establish a new benchmark for starting pitchers based on yearly salary.

Cohen Could Be Ready to Spend Again

For the Mets, this is exactly the type of opportunity Steve Cohen has historically been willing to pursue.

Cohen has demonstrated that he is comfortable committing significant money to star players, and a disappointing 2026 campaign could motivate the organization to make another major statement in free agency.

Rather than simply adding several smaller pieces, the Mets could attempt to land one superstar capable of dramatically improving the roster.

Skubal would fit that description perfectly.

Could Skubal Put Mets Back in NL East Contention?

A move of this magnitude could immediately change expectations surrounding the Mets heading into 2027.

New York has already fallen behind teams such as the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East, but adding a two-time Cy Young winner would give the Mets a legitimate weapon at the top of their rotation.

Of course, one pitcher alone would not solve every problem on the roster. The Mets would still need to address their offense, bullpen and overall depth.

However, adding an ace like Skubal would provide the foundation for a much stronger team.

A Dream Ending to a Nightmare Season

The Mets’ 2026 season may ultimately be remembered as a major disappointment, particularly after the organization entered the year with high expectations.

Yet the ability to reset during the offseason could provide the franchise with an opportunity to turn the page quickly.

If Cohen and Stearns can convince Skubal to choose New York, the disappointing season could suddenly look like the beginning of a much larger turnaround.

The projected six-year, $280 million contract may seem aggressive, and the actual price could ultimately be even higher.

But for a pitcher with Skubal’s résumé and potential impact, the Mets could view the investment as worthwhile.

Landing a true ace in free agency would not automatically guarantee a championship, but it would send a powerful message about the organization’s intentions.

After a frustrating 2026 season, bringing Skubal to Queens would give the Mets one of the biggest possible offseason victories — and potentially the centerpiece they need to become serious contenders again.