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3 starting pitchers the NY Mets should target in a trade to pair alongside Tarik Skubal

The Mets should target these three starters on the trade market.
ByPat Ragazzo
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Oct 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws during the first inning of game one of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws during the first inning of game one of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Mets must go hard after the crown jewel of free agency in two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. But even if they land Skubal, who will likely receive the richest contract for a starting pitcher in MLB history, the Mets still need another starter.

As a result, the Mets should explore the trade market to round out their starting rotation after spending big to sign Skubal. We're going to take a look at three starters the Mets should target via trade this offseason to pair with Skubal.

3 Mets starting pitching trade targets

1) Logan Webb

Acquiring Logan Webb from the San Francisco Giants to pair with Skubal would build a super rotation in New York. While Webb is coming off a down year with a lowly Giants team, he finished in the top 11 in the NL Cy Young race from 2022-2025. At his best, Webb has been worth 5.6 bWAR, and has averaged 3.8 bWAR in his career. He is an ace that would be the Mets' No. 2 starter behind Skubal and bump Nolan McLean to No. 3. Webb has two more years of control and $47 million remaining on the five-year, $90 million extension he signed with San Francisco, which could be a bargain for the Mets. The Giants weren't willing to trade Webb during the season, but could change their minds this winter for the right offer.

2. Emerson Hancock

The Mets should be thinking about trading for starters that come along with multiple years of control, and Emerson Hancock of the Seattle Mariners fits this bill. Hancock has four years of control left and won't be a free agent until 2031. The 27-year-old right-hander went 7-8 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 4.00 FIP, 109 ERA+, 126 strikeouts and a 2.7 bWAR in 25 starts (138.2 innings) last season. The Mariners, who have a surplus of young starting pitching, were open to moving Hancock at the trade deadline and could revisit dealing him this offseason.

3. Drew Rasmussen

Trading for Drew Rasmussen would stack the Mets' rotation alongside Skubal. And the Mets should certainly call the Tampa Bay Rays to talk Rasmussen, who just had his $20 million club option exercised for 2027. However, landing Rasmussen seems like it will be a long shot. That's because Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander told reporters recently that the club intends to keep Rasmussen to lead their starting rotation. As good as Rasmussen has been, and as much of a boost as he would provide the Mets, it would still be a risk acquiring him. Rasmussen has one year of control and the Mets just went down that road with Freddy Peralta last year, and it back fired. That being said, the Mets should still target Rasmussen and see if they can pry him away from the Rays.

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