Mets could target former Yankees starter if Tarik Skubal plan fails
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Mets could target former Yankees starter if Tarik Skubal plan fails originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This offseason, the New York Mets should compete with a few large-market teams for two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
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Skubal's current club, the Los Angeles Dodgers, is likely to be the most dangerous threat to New York in its pursuit of the left-hander.
If the Mets miss out on Skubal, a few more starting pitchers would fit in nicely atop the rotation with Nolan McLean.
Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer wrote that the Mets should refocus on the rotation this winter after previously doing their best to increase the production among the position player group.
"Will they continue to operate that way and pay Juan Soto more than they pay their entire starting rotation in 2027? Or do they make a big move for a guy like Michael King to bolster this young rotation?" Rymer wrote.
Potentially, King would be the best fallback option in the event the Mets fall short in the Skubal race.
King has dealt with injuries throughout his career but is one of the best pitchers in the sport when healthy.
He has a 1.86 ERA in seven postseason appearances and is one of eight pitchers with at least 450 innings pitched and a 3.00 ERA or lower since 2022, per Rymer.
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The New York Yankees transitioned King from the bullpen to the rotation in the later months of 2023, and he's looked comfortable ever since.
It's likely King opts out of his contract with the Padres and searches for a sizeable contract in free agency.
The Mets should be one of his suitors, especially if Bo Bichette opts out of his deal and frees up $42 million on the payroll.
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