Two elite prospects headline a bold Mets package for two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Will Detroit bite before spring training?
A Tarik Skubal to the New York Mets hypothetical trade has been tossed around all winter long, but nothing has come to fruition with less than a month left before spring training begins. The left-handed starter has established himself as one of baseball’s premier aces, winning back-to-back Cy Young awards. With the offseason winding down, there’s still time for a Skubal to New York move, but the Mets will have to act fast.
In a recent Bleacher Report article, a last-ditch Skubal trade package was put together by writer Joel Reuter. The Mets would send their No. 2 prospect Carson Benge, No. 3 prospect Jonah Tong, and right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes in exchange for Skubal in the deal. The Detroit Tigers would be getting two of the top prospects in baseball in Benge and Tong in exchange for Skubal’s one remaining year before hitting free agency.
Benge, an outfielder, played in High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A in the Mets' minor league system last season. In the year as a whole, the 23-year-old hit 47 extra-base hits, drove in 73 runs, stole 22 bases, and earned an .857 OPS. His bat struggled in Triple-A, recording just a .583 OPS, but a little more time in the minors should see him increase that number as he gears up for MLB pitchers.
He also has a solid arm in the outfield and can be a threat on the basepaths. If he continues his production at the plate, a promotion to the biggest stage is in the very near future for Benge. Whether or not that’ll be with the Mets or not is in the hands of the front office as the offseason enters its final stage.
Tong got some MLB experience last season, impressing at times and showing signs of rawness at others. He was absolutely dominant in the minors in 2025, however, posting a 1.43 ERA in 22 starts. He may need a little bit more time in the minors before carving out a regular role in a big league rotation, but the Tigers would be happy to land one of the top right-handed pitching prospects in a Skubal return.
Holmes had a good 2025, posting a 3.53 ERA across 33 games. Still, the Mets would have no problem swapping out Holmes for Skubal in their rotation. After acquiring Freddy Peralta in a trade this month, adding another ace in Skubal would solidify the Mets as a top competitor in the National League.
It’s unlikely that Detroit is going to send out Skubal before the season begins, but there is always a chance. If there’s a chance, the Mets will be involved in those rumors. The final few weeks of the offseason will be one to keep an eye on to see if New York can add another star during an already great offseason.