What happened: The New York Mets have scheduled a meeting with free-agent left-hander Tarik Skubal, according to Jon Heyman. The sit-down marks an opening formal step in New York's pursuit of the premier starter on the market.

Why it matters: New York entered the offseason prioritizing rotation upgrades ahead of the 2027 season. Evaluators have identified the Mets as an early front-runner to land the left-hander. Skubal's market value is expected to command contract projections reaching up to $400 million.

What to watch: Skubal is anticipated to conduct exploratory meetings with interested clubs before formal bidding begins.