Cohen’s Appetite Drives Skubal Pursuit
SNY insider Chelsea Janes indicated that the New York Mets' pursuit of free agent pitcher Tarik Skubal is contingent on owner Steve Cohen's personal interest rather than the front office's standard operational model. Janes stated that the organization's level of commitment would mirror Cohen's own enthusiasm for the player, suggesting a top-down approach to this specific offseason priority.
"I don't know how hard Steve Cohen will go after Skubal, but how hard Steve Cohen will go after Skubal is how hard the Mets will go after Skubal," Janes said. She suggested a scenario in which Cohen would instruct the baseball operations department to proceed with the signing regardless of traditional constraints.
Janes noted that Cohen might say, "You do your thing. Like he did with Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker." This comparison references previous instances where Cohen's direct involvement influenced major roster decisions, suggesting a potential shift in how the Mets approach high-profile free agency this offseason. The reference to Bichette and Tucker highlights a precedent for Cohen overriding standard front-office caution when pursuing elite talent.
Rotation Needs and Stearns’ Strategy
The potential pursuit of Skubal comes as the Mets look to address weaknesses in their pitching staff following a 74-88 season. The team's starting rotation finished the 2026 campaign with a 4.47 earned run average, ranking 23rd in Major League Baseball. This statistical output underscores the urgency behind the front office's public statements regarding roster construction.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns emphasized the necessity of improving the staff during an end-of-season news conference on Sept. 28, 2026, according to The Athletic. "I do think it is necessary for us to add to our starting rotation," Stearns said. His comments at that specific date signaled a clear directive to address the pitching deficiencies identified over the previous 162 games.
While the Mets are expected to pursue starters at the lower end of the market for depth regardless of the outcome of Skubal's negotiations, Janes advised that General Manager David Stearns should manage those alternative plans. She suggested that Cohen should handle communications with Skubal's agent, Scott Boras, regarding the ace pitcher. This division of labor implies a strategic split where Cohen focuses on the marquee acquisition while Stearns secures supplementary depth.
Skubal’s Performance and Market Value
Tarik Skubal enters free agency as a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, having won the honor in both 2024 and 2025 while with the Detroit Tigers. His performance in 2026 included a stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being traded at the 2026 deadline. This trajectory from Detroit to Los Angeles establishes his recent market value and versatility across different organizational systems.
In 2026, Skubal went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA and 186 strikeouts over 158.2 innings across 26 starts for Detroit and Los Angeles. ESPN has projected an eight-year, $355 million contract for the pitcher. These figures provide a concrete baseline for the financial expectations surrounding his free agency, contrasting with the Mets' historical spending patterns.
Janes argued that relying on a single ace is not a safe long-term plan for the Mets due to injury risk and uncertainty in signing Skubal. Despite this caution, the comparison to Cohen's previous high-profile acquisitions highlights the potential scale of the Mets' interest if the owner decides to prioritize the pitcher. The tension between Stearns' need for rotational depth and Cohen's desire for a singular superstar defines the current dynamic within the organization.