Latest Tigers rumors don't involve Tarik Skubal, but can be a problem for the NY Mets

There’s no better dream candidate for the New York Mets rotation than Tarik Skubal. In an attempt to acquire him, the Mets run into two obstacles. The first is the Detroit Tigers don’t want to trade him. The second is the Mets wouldn’t be willing to send them what it would take to get them to budge.

The latest Tigers rumors do little to help the Mets and have even less to do with Skubal. Detroit is showing interest in a pair of free agent pitchers who’d, at least in theory, be a good match for the Mets rotation.

The Tigers can spoil the Mets’ rotation plans if they sign Chris Bassitt or Lucas Giolito

There hasn’t been a notable Mets rumor about interest in Chris Bassitt or Lucas Giolito and yet both make a lot of sense for New York. Bassitt, a former Met, has been a steady starter who can eat innings and stay healthy. Giolito has been quite the opposite in the second area. He missed all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery. He ended the 2025 season on the IL and there should be questions about his durability.

Each is in a spot to sign a shorter deal, Bassitt maybe for two years and Giolito on a contract that’ll potentially give him a player option. Given how poorly those have worked out for the Mets, Omar Narvaez from 2023-2024 and Frankie Montas from 2025-2026, you wouldn’t be wrong to be petrified at the thought of this.

Neither comes close to what Skubal would bring to the Mets. However, each has his own appeal. Bassitt can handle New York (pitching well for the Mets in 2022) and fit in nicely in relief for the Toronto Blue Jays in their run to the World Series last year. Giolito has less “big game” experience, only seeing the playoffs for two games in his career. The Chicago White Sox lost both of those series.

What is it the Mets are looking for this offseason? Skubal is the ace while Bassitt and Giolito are the finishing touches. Adding either would require a subtraction which raises a new question: are they better than whomever they replace? It’s likely to be David Peterson or Kodai Senga. A signing of Bassitt or Giolito doesn’t exactly assure the Mets their rotation is any better.

The real twist would be the Tigers signing one of them and trading Skubal anyway. It’s actually not so farfetched. They’ll build a better overall roster, in theory, especially if the Mets were to maybe send them a starting pitcher as well as some MLB-ready players plus a prospect or two.

The Mets have waited patiently on the starting pitcher market to expose itself in full. They’ve had reported interest in several free agent starters and trade candidates. Bassitt and Giolito haven’t been mentioned regularly, but that doesn’t mean they can’t fit into the team’s plans. New York won’t have a chance if the Tigers lure them first.