Mets’ Tarik Skubal chase will have to go through frustratingly familiar foe

The Mets may have to beat the Dodgers to sign Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner and the most sought-after player in this year’s free-agent market. The article argues that recent head-to-head signings give Los Angeles the edge, making the Dodgers a familiar obstacle for New York.

The Mets have lost four such contests to the Dodgers in recent years: Kyle Tucker, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Trevor Bauer and Edwin Díaz chose Los Angeles. Tucker and Díaz struggled in their first season there, while Bauer was released after a domestic violence penalty; Yamamoto became a World Series hero. Skubal is expected to command a record contract for a pitcher, and a looming 1 December lockout may prompt a quick decision.