What happened: The New York Mets are preparing an offseason pursuit of ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, according to reporting from Jim Bowden of The Athletic. The San Diego Padres are positioning themselves aggressively across the starting pitching market, while the New York Yankees are prioritizing bullpen reinforcements.

Why it matters: Skubal commands the top of the pitching market as clubs shape their rosters for the 2027 campaign. San Diego's aggressive posture signals an active rotation overhaul, while New York aims to reconstruct late-inning depth ahead of the upcoming season.

What to watch: Front offices will continue discussions ahead of next month's winter meetings, where formal contract negotiations and trade proposals are set to accelerate.