Tarik Skubal Trade Rumors: Mets, Blue Jays, Cubs Emerge as Top Fits

Detroit Tigers' Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal could be on the trade block this offseason due to a significant gap in extension talks and his impending free agency. If the Tigers entertain offers, the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs are identified as the three best fits. The Mets are considered the most likely destination, possessing the financial flexibility and farm system depth to acquire Skubal, potentially forming an elite rotation with Kodai Senga and filling a void that has plagued them despite high spending. The Blue Jays, whose rotation ranked 20th in MLB in ERA in 2025, could elevate their staff significantly by adding Skubal, complementing pitchers like Shane Bieber and Chris Bassitt. The Cubs, seeking to bolster a mixed rotation, see Skubal as an ace to compete in the NL Central, especially with potential free agents like Shota Imanaga and Michael Soroka. Skubal, who has won two consecutive AL ERA titles and led pitchers in WAR for two seasons, posted a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 195.1 innings during the 2025 regular season, followed by a 1.74 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in the postseason. Trade proposals for Skubal could involve prospects such as Ricky Tiedemann, Gage Stanifer, Arjun Nimmala for Toronto; Ethan Conrad, Moises Ballesteros, Jaxon Wiggins for Chicago; and Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuna, Jonah Tong for New York.