What Tarik Skubal and other top 30-plus available players will command in MLB free agency

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nypost.com

This free agent group is far from the best or deepest, so teams need to choose wisely. It’s so thin that the one superstar — two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal — could easily receive a contract three or four times greater than any other free agent. 

Here’s our annual dollar prediction for the top 30-plus available players, ranked by projected annual salary. (QO means they have Qualifying Offer.) 

Not only is Skubal probably MLB’s best starter, his durability is top-shelf. Skubal, 29, is one of two pitchers with at least 590 innings (counting the postseason) since 2024 (Cristopher Sánchez). The Mets and Dodgers are proven willing to enter the $50M-a-year category and must be considered favorites even with many clubs checking in. However, the threat of a cap might provide opportunity for others. New owners with the Angels and Padres could be ready to make a splash too. The arbitration dollar record holder will likely receive per-year and total-dollar pitching records. Half the record Juan Soto $765M deal seems ballpark. Best guess: $382.5M, 7 years. 

An image collage containing 4 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal winds up to pitch on the mound at Dodger Stadium, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker bats during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Image 3 shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and GM David Stearns talk with Chris Christie on the field before a game, Image 4 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Díaz throws against the Milwaukee Brewers

He opted out of $58M over two years following another brilliant year. The incumbent Padres love him. But some East Coast teams (Orioles, Jays) love the Rhode Island native too. $90M, 3 years, opt out.

What Tarik Skubal and other top 30-plus available players will command in MLB free agency | Readon News