If the New York Yankees surprised the baseball world by winning the Tarik Skubal free-agent sweepstakes, a new report opens the door for the New York Mets to make a rare trade with their in-city rivals for a three-time All-Star.

With the World Series in the rearview, all the focus outside Milwaukee is on the MLB offseason. Yet, this year is different than others. With an expected lockout set to begin on Dec. 1, there is expected to be a frenzy of free agent and trade activity over the next few weeks.

When it comes to the free agent market, there is no better player available than the two-time Cy Young Award winner. In a Tuesday report from ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, he revealed that the word around the game is that Skubal will either land a deal with a guarantee in the “$325-400 million area” or a shorter deal with a high annual average, “such as three years, $150 million with two opt-outs.”

The MLB insider also pointed to the expected suitors for the three-time All-Star. Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets, he claimed the “Yankees are thinking about it” and would then “trade from their pitching stockpile if they land Skubal.”

Should New York Mets target a Carlos Rodon trade if the New York Yankees sign Tarik Skubal?

The Yankees had one of the best starting staffs in MLB this season because not only were they talented, but New York had a lot of options. If they actually got involved in the Skubal chase and won, they could use that wealth of talented arms to either address other areas on the roster or their minor league system.

Players like Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, or Will Warren would generate solid interest around the league. Especially since all of them have team-friendly contracts. However, with a salary cap, or stronger penalties for high-spending teams coming in the next collective bargaining agreement, the Yankees would need to move a big contract if they signed Skubal.

Max Fried could be considered for a trade, but New York likely keeps him. Likewise with Gerrit Cole. That is why Carlos Rodon would be the odd man out. Especially since he has had injury woes during his four seasons in New York.

If the Yankees did make Rodon available, the Mets should absolutely inquire about the price. The 33-year-old was an All-Star in 2025, and while he was limited to 16 starts this year, he still went 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA. Furthermore, he has a contract that President David Stearns would like, with just two years and $55 million still owed to him.

The Mets could offer players like Francisco Alvarez, Ronny Mauricio, or Brett Baty if the Yankees saw value in them to play catcher, second base, or third base, respectively. And/or a couple of top 50 prospects in a deal.