Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal is scheduled to meet with six Major League Baseball teams, including the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres, as the sport braces for a potential lockout in December.
The meetings come as Skubal, a two-time All-Star and 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner, approaches free agency. The 27-year-old pitcher has emerged as one of the game's premier starters, posting a 2.58 ERA with 228 strikeouts over 192 innings last season.
With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1, both players and owners are preparing for a possible work stoppage that could delay offseason transactions. Skubal's camp appears to be accelerating discussions before any potential freeze on player movement.
The Mets, Dodgers, and Padres represent three of baseball's highest-spending organizations, each with rotation needs and the financial capacity to pursue a frontline starter. Three additional clubs, not yet publicly identified, are also expected to meet with Skubal's representatives.
