As the 2025 season comes to an end, the Detroit Tigers left much to be desired. They started the season so well it seemed as if the AL Central Division race was all but over. Yet somehow, after gaining a 15.5 game lead in the division, the Tigers lost the division. They would go on to eliminate the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Wild Card round, but that momentum lost was too much to take down the Seattle Mariners. Now, it seems the Tigers have no choice but to trade the expensive Tarik Skubal, and a large favorite is emerging.
One Clear Favorite to Trade For Tarik Skubal
A Team With Both Ton’s of Money and Young Talent?
MLB Networks’ Lauren Shehadi on
Tarik Skubal:“He's gone. He's going to the Mets.”
(H/T: @MLBNetwork)
pic.twitter.com/AWVSwhmOgZ— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) November 5, 2025
As talk is emerging, the MLB Network has already covered this, and the New York Met’s are seen as favorites to land Skubal. Quite frankly, some people are massively misinformed about the Met’s farm system. Not only does New York obviously have the financial capability of pulling off this trade, they also have an amazing farm system. In addition to having a great farm system, the Mets have an array of young players too.
And no, Ronny Mauricio isn’t the only guy. The talent includes the young Mark Vientos, who hit 27 homers in 111 games in 2024. Bret Baty, who finally broke out with a good 2025 season. Francisco Alvarez, who looked really good when healthy in 2025 and is still just 23. Not to mention, the Met’s finished the season with Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat, all rookies in their rotation. All are huge chips in such a trade. The Met’s aren’t going to trade Francisco Lindor or Jeff McNeil (???), they have enough young talent.
As For the Farm System?
ESPN most recently ranked the Mets’ farm system as the No. 1 in the league. Which means, yes, the Met’s won’t need to trade Lindor, Pete Alonso or McNeil. The Mets also have Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford, and others that would be very intriguing for the Tigers. The criticism of the Mets David Stearns has been massive, yet, at the same time, even with the bad deadline acquisitions, the Met’s didn’t give up anyone big.
The Mets have also done really well building a very strong and young team. 2025 was framed as a massive disappointment for the Mets. But in a way, that is an overreaction. The team didn’t have consistency and had way too many young players going on hot and cold stretches. Unlike what many framed 2025 as, this season for New York was more a season that showed that they’re much younger than people think.
Such a Trade Would Instantly Make the Mets Among the Best in the League
The Mets had two big issues, one for pitching and hitting. The Met’s hitting was too cold and then too hot. The lineup was far too top heavy, with Lindor, Soto, Alonso, and Nimmo being everything for the Mets while the other end was way too inconsistent. This can be fixed with hitters like Alvarez and Baty maturing, while free agency or trading could help in other positions like center field and second base.
The Mets are the PERFECT fit for Tarik Skubal, says @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/iFFrYH6lCW
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 6, 2025
On the pitching side, the Mets’ rotation was destroyed by inconsistently as well but also having zero true aces. Kodai Senga got injured after an unreal start and then would get sent down to Triple-A. David Peterson had a horrible second half. Meanwhile, Sean Manea didn’t do anything consistent for New York, while injuries to others just piled on top of that. New York needs a ace like Skubal to solidify the rotation, as even in addition to that, they will probably have youngsters like McLean starting.
All in all, out of all the teams, one team that can give prospects and then sign Skubal to a massive deal is New York. With an incredibly inconsistent 2025 season, the best pitcher in the world would be an amazing get. The Met’s need an ace, and this could very well be the best way to get it. After getting arguably the best hitter in baseball last offseason, just what could getting the best pitcher in baseball do for them?
Main Image: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
