As the 2026 MLB offseason approaches, a fierce $400 million bidding war is brewing among the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets to secure Paul Skenes, marking one of the most intense free agent battles in recent baseball history. This dramatic contest reflects the immense value placed on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rising star, driven by his dominant pitching performance and rare durability.
Why Paul Skenes Has Become Baseball’s Most Coveted Free Agent
Paul Skenes, the hard-throwing right-hander for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has vaulted into superstardom through his exceptional pitching talent and consistency. After stunning the league with his breakout performances, teams have recognized him as a generational talent destined to transform any pitching rotation. The anticipation for his free agency following the 2026 season has ignited an early and intense competition, particularly from baseball’s wealthiest franchises.
The pitcher‘s statistical excellence is indisputable. Skenes earned acclaim for his pinpoint accuracy and ability to deliver deep into games. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) closely mirrors his Earned Run Average (ERA), underscoring his effectiveness independent of defensive variables. Moreover, he has demonstrated remarkable stamina, consistently reaching near 200 innings each season, setting him apart from peers often sidelined by injuries.
Contenders Enter the Race: Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets in Pursuit
The New York Yankees have long been synonymous with spending heavily to acquire top talent, under the direction of manager Aaron Boone. Their strategy of committing vast resources to secure established superstars dates back decades, with landmark signings like Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson in the 1970s. More recently, their record-setting deal for Gerrit Cole displayed their readiness to heavily invest in ace pitchers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, led by manager Dave Roberts, have institutionalized the concept of a “super rotation” through a commitment to consistently assemble elite pitching staffs. Their aggressive acquisition strategy during the 2024-25 offseason, which saw them spend over $1.3 billion to sign pitchers such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Blake Snell, exemplifies their approach. Adding Skenes would further solidify their pitching dominance.
The New York Mets, guided by owner Steve Cohen’s aggressive spending philosophy, have significantly reshaped their roster by signing marquee pitchers like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander to historic contracts, although both were later traded. The Mets’ decisive acquisition of Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and their record-setting deal for outfielder Juan Soto demonstrate their ambition to field a championship-contending team. Skenes fits perfectly into their plan for a balanced, formidable rotation.
Historic Contract Projections and Early Market Predictions
MLB insider Buster Olney has forecasted Skenes’ impending contract to reach $400 million, positioning him among the highest-paid pitchers in history. This staggering amount reflects both his skill and the strategic value of an ace pitcher in today’s game. Olney highlights a key focus of the bidding war: the competition chiefly involving the Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets, three franchises with vastly different but equally potent financial resources.
“Skubal is set to land $400 Million after next season,”
—Buster Olney, ESPN Insider
“whether it’ll come from the Yankees, the Dodgers, or the Mets.”
—Buster Olney, ESPN Insider
The projected magnitude of the contract indicates a market shift where elite pitching talent commands unprecedented sums, motivated by teams’ needs to build championship-caliber rotations that can dominate the postseason.
Assessing Detroit Tigers’ Role in Retaining a Star Pitcher
Currently, the Detroit Tigers hold the rights to Tarik Skubal, a left-handed ace often mentioned alongside Skenes in storied free agent races. With managerial leadership from Aaron Boone and the team’s competitive standing atop the American League Central, Detroit views Skubal as vital to its prospects. Nevertheless, reports suggest that retaining Skubal beyond the 2026 season is increasingly unlikely.
On the Days of Roar podcast, Detroit Free Press journalist Evan Petzold indicated that Skubal is “all but guaranteed” to depart after his contract ends. Despite Detroit’s efforts to extend him, the lure of a historic contract elsewhere and the opportunity to join a team built for sustained postseason success have placed Skubal on the potential trade block. The Tigers face a crucial two-year timeframe to capitalize on the former ninth-round draft pick while he remains on their roster.
Though Skubal’s situation differs from Skenes’, his example underscores the evolving economics of pitching in MLB and the immense pressure on smaller-market teams to compete financially with powerhouse franchises.
The Future Impact of the $400 Million Pursuit on MLB
The emerging $400 million bidding war for Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal reflects significant trends shaping professional baseball as of 2025. Teams with vast financial resources are escalating their investments in pitching, recognizing that elite starters are the cornerstone for championship ambitions. The competition between the Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets crystallizes the intersection of talent evaluation, business strategy, and market dynamics.
This race is more than just a single signing; it symbolizes a broader shift in MLB’s free agency landscape, raising the bar for contract valuations and talent acquisition tactics. Securing Skenes could provide the winning franchise with a transformative edge, boosting their rotation with a pitcher combining peak performance and remarkable durability.
As the offseason progresses, the decisions made by these three major clubs will likely shape the balance of power in the league for years to come, reaffirming the relentless quest for pitching excellence and the ever-growing financial stakes in baseball’s highest levels.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has anyone found the Paul Skenes?
A. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — An 11-year-old from California, who collects baseball cards, discovered a unique Paul Skenes card. The Pirates want this card and have offered 30 years of home plate season tickets in return.
Q. What is Paul Skenes’ salary?
A. In 2023, he received a $9.2 million signing bonus. In 2024, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates, earning $740,000 annually before arbitration. For the 2025 season, also pre-arbitration, he accepted a yearly salary of $875,000.
Q. Did anyone find Paul Skenes’ baseball card?
A. Excitement about Skenes led collectors to eagerly search for his unique rookie card. An 11-year-old Dodgers fan in Los Angeles discovered it on Christmas morning. The Pirates had promised a reward to whoever found the Skenes card.
Q. How much did Paul Skenes get?
A. Paul Skenes moved up through the MLB’s minor leagues and played his first major league game in 2024. He received a $9.2 million signing bonus in 2023. In 2024, Skenes signed a one-year contract with the Pirates, earning $740,000 a year before arbitration.