Mets Schedule Meeting With Tarik Skubal in California

The New York Mets are scheduled to meet with free-agent pitcher Tarik Skubal in California next week, as the club explores a possible addition to its starting rotation. The meeting was reported by Jon Heyman, who has also described the Mets as one of the leading contenders to sign the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner. No agreement has been announced, and the reports do not establish Skubal’s preference or eventual destination.

Heyman said he currently favors the Mets, citing New York’s need to improve and uncertainty about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ plans. That is an assessment of the free-agent market, not a report that the Mets have made an offer or that Skubal has chosen a team. The Dodgers remain a possible competitor, and Skubal is expected to meet with multiple teams in California.

The Mets’ interest comes after a 2026 season in which they missed the postseason and finished last in the National League East. Their starting pitchers recorded a 4.15 ERA, ranking 17th among major league teams, according to one report. Another report put the rotation’s ERA at 4.47. Both accounts describe a team seeking a stronger rotation, though the figures differ. The club’s 2026...