Ranking 9 NY Mets players named as possible Tarik Skubal trade chips by willingness

Tarik Skubal rumors are going to carry on until he has a contract beyond 2026. The Detroit Tigers have no urgency to trade him unless they have no desire to sign him to a long-term deal. An ace of his caliber is at the top of the offseason wish list for the New York Mets. Skubal’s perceived availability has made him a more highly-discussed topic this week than Shohei Ohtani homering 3 times in a game he started and struck out 10 batters in 6 shutout innings.

SNY’s John Harper put together a lengthy piece with information about what scouts and executives believe the Mets might have to pay up in order to acquire Skubal. A year away from free agency won’t do much to lower the price. With the Tigers looking to gain control, improve their future, and win next season as a result of the trade, Harper was able to find a group of 4 MLB players and 5 prospects believed to be key to getting a trade done.

How willing should we be to part with each of them?

9) Jonah Tong - That hurts

This feels like the hardest one to swallow simply because of how starved for pitching the Mets have been at the major league level. Jonah Tong had too good of a season in the minors to give him away when there are other options out there.

8) Carson Benge - You're getting one less prospect if he's included

The Mets have ways to improve their starting rotation without the minor league pipeline. Center field is a bit different. Free agency offers little permanence. Carson Benge is a serious candidate to take the reins by midseason in 2026. He’s too close to MLB-ready at a position the Mets have struggled to accurately fill.

7) Jett Williams - Okay but we won't like it

The next few names belong on a different tier. Jett Williams has the benefit of some amazing skills, notably his speed. But with no real position quite yet, one could make the argument Benge is the better prospect to hold onto. There isn’t as great of a need to have both Benge and Williams together in the future. By a hair, Benge is the one to keep.

6) Brandon Sproat - A fair trade off

Brandon Sproat is easier to trade away than Tong which is amazing to say considering how strong he looked at the start of the 2024 season. Some struggles in Triple-A these past two seasons have allowed Tong to pass him by. Already 25 and not secured as a major league pitcher, using him in a trade for Skubal seems practical.

5) Francisco Alvarez - You can convince me

This is something we’re going to hear a lot more of this offseason. Francisco Alvarez on the trade block? You have to swallow your pride to accept this one. The Mets have invested a lot of time into Alvarez and to give up on him now, with his 24th birthday coming up in November, could be premature. It may also be their final opportunity to trade him away. Including him in a trade feels like it could make or break the next era of Mets baseball because of how highly ranked he was for years.

4) Brett Baty - Do it with a slight hesitation

We’re starting to get a little more digestible. As good as Brett Baty was last year, it’s not obvious what his role will be moving forward. He is probably their best option to start at third base in 2026. However, if he needs to be included in a trade for a starting pitcher of Skubal’s level, you don’t hesitate.

3) Ryan Clifford - There's not much room for him anyway

Ryan Clifford has amazing power but as a first baseman/corner outfielder who has had a tough time hitting for much average, he feels a little too much like the next Adam Dunn. Players like this shouldn’t be held onto too tightly. I wouldn’t think twice.

2) Clay Holmes - Drive him to Detroit

A surprise entrant on Harper’s list was Clay Holmes. Only one person apparently believed he’d be interesting enough for the Tigers in a Skubal trade. I mean, why not? He was good for the Mets last year. If you’re giving up major league talent for a true ace, you put on a show of grief and pretend you’re going to miss Holmes. In actuality, you pat yourself on the back if you’re David Stearns for turning this risky free agent signing into a trade asset.

1) David Peterson - Thanks for the memories

This would have been impossible to believe in the first half of 2025. David Peterson being a year away from free agency and collapsing late in the year makes him the easiest player to part with among the nine mentioned. He doesn’t feel like he’s a year away from becoming the next Skubal or anything. Certainly someone who can do a lot of good things in his major league career moving forward, it feels like he’s already on his way out after the 2026 season anyway.