How Mets' Top 2026 Free Agent Target Landing On IL Could Impact Their Offseason Pursuit
Tarik Skubal’s elbow surgery could slash his record-breaking price tag, offering David Stearns a high-stakes opening to overhaul New York’s rotation despite a dismal start to 2026.
We have now reached May, meaning there is a sufficient sample size to get an idea of each club’s outlook for the season. Despite lofty expectations heading into the season, the New York Mets’ outlook is one of the bleakest in baseball. Sitting in last place in the National League East with a 13-22 record as of Wednesday morning, the Mets have been baseball's biggest disappointment.
They may already be in a huge hole, being 11. 5 games back from the division-leading Atlanta Braves, but there is still plenty of baseball left ot be played in 2026. While President of Baseball Operations David Stearns is searching for emergency fixes to save the Mets’ grim season, many are already looking towards how the team can improve before next season.
For some time now, part of the plan has been to sign one of baseball’s biggest aces in free agency. Left-hander Tarik Skubal has been linked to New York for some time now, stirring up rumors last winter about a potential trade from the Detroit Tigers as he headed into his final year under contract. Ultimately, the Tigers decided not to cash in on the back-to-back Cy Young winner, keeping him in Detroit for one more season.
As a result, the Mets opted to trade for another one of baseball’s top starters in Freddy Peralta. Skubal has been great again in 2026 for the Tigers, but his season has taken a big blow as he undergoes surgery to remove loose bodies in his throwing elbow. The typical recovery time for such an injury is about two to three months.