The Toronto Blue Jays are apparently joining the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes.
The Blue Jays are expected to meet the top free agent next week in California, sources told Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and two other mystery clubs are also reportedly set to sit down with the two-time AL Cy Young winner.
Toronto has a need for starting pitching, with Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer testing free agency. The team's 2027 rotation currently projects to include Dylan Cease, José Soriano, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce, and Spencer Arrighetti.
Skubal posted a 2.72 ERA with 0.96 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 over 158 2/3 innings (26 starts) between the Dodgers and Detroit Tigers in 2026. He's reportedly expected to sign before a potential lockout begins Dec. 2, and the 29-year-old's poised to surpass Yoshinobu Yamamoto's record $325-million deal from December 2023.
L.A. would like to re-sign Skubal on a short-term deal with a high average annual value, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The team is reportedly hesitant about handing out a lucrative long-term contract because of the financial uncertainty surrounding the looming expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
The Blue Jays have pursued top free-agent talent for years, landing Cease last offseason. The club also made strong runs at Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto in the past.
Toronto finished last in the AL East with a 79-83 record last season after reaching Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.
