{
  "id": 19260254,
  "title": "MLB Insider Identifies Favorite in Tarik Skubal Free-Agent Sweepstakes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/mlb-insider-identifies-favorite-in-tarik-skubal-free-agent-sweepstakes",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-10T01:00:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/mlb-insider-identifies-favorite-in-tarik-skubal-free-agent-sweepstakes-12690686"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "One MLB insider has named the New York Mets as the leading candidate to sign two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Jon Heyman, writing for MLB Network's Hot Stove, predicts the Mets have a 37% chance of acquiring the star starting pitcher, making them favorites in the free-agent sweepstakes. The Los Angeles Dodgers follow with a 22% chance of re-signing Skubal. Heyman believes the Mets' motivation to improve after a missed postseason makes them more likely to pay Skubal than the Dodgers. However, he does not rule out the possibility of other teams, including the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, or Philadelphia Phillies, pursuing the 30-year-old southpaw. Heyman suggests Skubal may seek an eight-year deal rather than a shorter, higher average salary contract, given his leverage as the best player on the open market.",
  "summary": "Jon Heyman believes one big-marker team is \"probably the favorite\" to sign Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal this offseason.",
  "key_points": [
    "New York Mets favored at 37% to sign Tarik Skubal",
    "Los Angeles Dodgers at 22% chance to re-sign pitcher",
    "Mets motivated to improve after missed postseason"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}