The New York Mets are in need of an ace, and they may be able to find one on the trade block. Tarik Skubal may be available, given his contract situation, but what about Paul Skenes?
The Tigers could reportedly shop Skubal this winter as he and the team are far apart in negotiations and he is just one year away from free agency. Any trade for Skubal would require a haul, and if the Mets want to go big, why not go even bigger than Skubal?
Skenes is a two-time All-Star and the favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award this year. Spotrac projects Skenes to sign a 13-year, $506 million deal down the line, and history does not indicate that the Pirates will pay him. If the Pirates were close to contending, holding on to Skenes would be a no-brainer. However, the team has not shown any ability to build a contender and Skenes has no reason to sign an extension on a discount.
If Skenes is available, many will be trying to put together a package to try and land him. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer tabbed the Mets as a potential landing spot in a blockbuster trade.
The Mets are one of the few teams that could cut Skenes a blank check if they wanted to. He could lead their rotation for years to come. The 23-year-old is already one of the best pitchers in baseball. He has a 1.96 career ERA in 55 starts, but has been mostly let down by the Pirates’ offense in his starts.
He is under club control through 2029, so any trade would yield an unprecedented return for the Pirates. The Mets would likely be willing to part ways with many top prospects to land Skenes.
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