Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Tarik Skubal enters free agency as baseball’s top pitching target
Tarik Skubal is the top free agent this offseason and one of baseball’s leading starting pitchers.
He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2024 and 2025.
Elbow surgery interrupted his 2026 season, but he posted a 2.72 ERA in 26 regular-season starts and made two more postseason starts.
His recent performance has led to expectations that his contract could set new records for total value or average annual pay.
A projection puts his deal at nine years and $425 million, though his representatives could seek more.
Skubal and his representatives plan to meet with interested teams in the coming weeks, aiming to reach a deal before the December 2 lockout begins.
A shorter contract with higher annual pay is another possible route, but reporting says Skubal is not interested in that approach.
Tarik Skubal is the top free agent of the offseason and is expected to draw interest from teams seeking a starting pitcher.
He posted a 2.64 ERA over the past four seasons and won the American League Cy Young award in 2024 and 2025.
An elbow surgery interrupted his 2026 season, but he recorded a 2.72 ERA over 26 regular-season starts.
MLB Trade Rumors projected a nine-year contract worth $425 million, while noting that his representatives could seek more.
Skubal and his representatives are expected to meet with suitors in the coming weeks, aiming to reach a deal before a lockout begins on December 2.
- Who
- Tarik Skubal, a starting pitcher and the offseason’s top free agent.
- What
- He is entering the free-agent market, where his contract is expected to set new benchmarks.
- When
- The article was published on November 13, 2026. Skubal is expected to meet with suitors in the coming weeks.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- His strong performance makes him a highly sought-after pitcher. His midseason trade made him ineligible for a qualifying offer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Skubal won the American League Cy Young award.
Skubal won the American League Cy Young award again.
Elbow surgery interrupted Skubal’s season, but he recorded a 2.72 ERA over 26 starts.
MLB Trade Rumors reported that Skubal was the top free agent of the offseason.
Skubal and his representatives are expected to meet with suitors ahead of a lockout set to begin December 2.
- Four-season ERA
- 2.64
- Cy Young awards
- American League, 2024 and 2025
- 2026 regular-season starts
- 26
- MLBTR contract projection
- Nine years, $425 million
- Lockout start date
- December 2