What happened: Jon Heyman reports that if the Tarik Skubal market comes down to the Mets and Dodgers, the Mets would need to overcome several factors that favor Los Angeles. Both clubs are described as big-monied bidders.

Why it matters: A $400 million contract projection already tops Wire Report's free-agent rankings, so a two-team race between the biggest spenders would set the price for the winter.

What to watch: MLB's labor deal expires Dec. 1, and an expected lockout could accelerate free-agent deals.