Blue Jays face big Tarik Skubal decision as insider warns of team's biggest weakness
The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing to meet Tarik Skubal in California next week as they look to improve their roster for the 2027 MLB season. However, signing the two-time AL Cy Young winner may not be their only option. Blue Jays insider Keegan Matheson believes Toronto should focus on adding a big hitter before spending heavily on another starting pitcher. The team finished 2026 with the fewest runs and home runs in MLB. With Skubal attracting interest from several teams, Toronto must decide how to use its money.
Keegan Matheson Wants Toronto Blue Jays to Fix Their Batting Before Making a Big Offer to Tarik SkubalThe Blue Jays are not the only team looking to sign Skubal. The New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are also expected to meet with the 29-year-old left-hander. According to MLB.com, Toronto has already done considerable work on the pitcher ahead of the meeting.
However, Matheson believes the Blue Jays should think carefully before making a huge offer to Skubal. During a TSN podcast, he explained that Toronto needs more help with its batting.
He said:
"The Blue Jays, I mean, are absolutely interested, obviously. That's not something to aggregate...They are interested in the best pitcher in free agency. ...Where I pause is the fact that they really need hitters. They need to score runs desperately."
Matheson also suggested that Toronto could spend its money on a top hitter and then look for a starting pitcher in the middle of the free-agent market.
He added:
"They need someone from the top end of the hitting market. The mid-range of the pitching market has a little bit left to it. I think it is smarter to go big on a hitter, say a Suzuki is a fantastic fit, and then hit that mid-range of starting pitching unless you have unlimited money."
One name that could help Toronto is Seiya Suzuki. The Japanese outfielder became a free agent after spending five seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs also extended him a qualifying offer worth $23.15 million for 2027, giving him another option to consider.
Toronto's general manager Ross Atkins has also spoken about the two areas the team wants to improve. He said:
"As it relates to improving, we're going to look to add to our offence and add to our starting pitching."
The numbers explain why batting is such a big concern. According to MLB.com, the Blue Jays scored just 648 runs and hit 152 home runs during the 2026 regular season. They also finished last in the AL East with a 79-83 record.
Scott Boras Recalls How Tarik Skubal Went From an Overlooked Prospect to a Top MLB PitcherWhile Toronto considers its options, Skubal's agent Scott Boras has spoken about the pitcher's journey to the top of baseball.
Speaking to reporters during the general managers' meetings in Las Vegas, Boras recalled meeting Skubal before the 2018 MLB Draft. At that time, the left-hander was recovering from Tommy John surgery and was not a highly rated prospect.
Skubal grew up in Kingman, Arizona, and received just one college scholarship offer, from Seattle University. After missing the 2017 season because of surgery, he returned to college but had an inconsistent junior year.
The Detroit Tigers selected him in the ninth round of the 2018 draft with the 255th overall pick. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
Remembering his first impression of the pitcher, Boras said:
"He had glowingly long hair, and that arm was electric, and it had come out of nowhere. I'm not sure how many people even knew who he was."
Boras has not shared details about the contract Skubal wants. However, he made it clear that teams are showing serious interest in his client.
"It's very clear that there is a dominant, strong Sku-Bull market," Boras said.
Skubal has good reason to attract so much attention. He won the AL Cy Young Award in both 2024 and 2025 with Detroit. In 2026, he recorded a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts and 27 walks across 158 2/3 innings in 26 starts for the Tigers and Dodgers.
There is also a deadline that could affect negotiations. MLB's current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, 2026. A lockout is expected if the league and players' union fail to reach a new deal.
According to Sportsnet, Boras expects the Skubal market to move quickly, with several teams preparing to meet him before December.
Keegan Matheson Wants Toronto Blue Jays to Fix Their Batting Before Making a Big Offer to Tarik SkubalThe Blue Jays are not the only team looking to sign Skubal. The New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are also expected to meet with the 29-year-old left-hander. According to MLB.com, Toronto has already done considerable work on the pitcher ahead of the meeting.
However, Matheson believes the Blue Jays should think carefully before making a huge offer to Skubal. During a TSN podcast, he explained that Toronto needs more help with its batting.
He said:
"The Blue Jays, I mean, are absolutely interested, obviously. That's not something to aggregate...They are interested in the best pitcher in free agency. ...Where I pause is the fact that they really need hitters. They need to score runs desperately."
Matheson also suggested that Toronto could spend its money on a top hitter and then look for a starting pitcher in the middle of the free-agent market.
He added:
"They need someone from the top end of the hitting market. The mid-range of the pitching market has a little bit left to it. I think it is smarter to go big on a hitter, say a Suzuki is a fantastic fit, and then hit that mid-range of starting pitching unless you have unlimited money."
One name that could help Toronto is Seiya Suzuki. The Japanese outfielder became a free agent after spending five seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs also extended him a qualifying offer worth $23.15 million for 2027, giving him another option to consider.
Toronto's general manager Ross Atkins has also spoken about the two areas the team wants to improve. He said:
"As it relates to improving, we're going to look to add to our offence and add to our starting pitching."
The numbers explain why batting is such a big concern. According to MLB.com, the Blue Jays scored just 648 runs and hit 152 home runs during the 2026 regular season. They also finished last in the AL East with a 79-83 record.
Scott Boras Recalls How Tarik Skubal Went From an Overlooked Prospect to a Top MLB PitcherWhile Toronto considers its options, Skubal's agent Scott Boras has spoken about the pitcher's journey to the top of baseball.
Speaking to reporters during the general managers' meetings in Las Vegas, Boras recalled meeting Skubal before the 2018 MLB Draft. At that time, the left-hander was recovering from Tommy John surgery and was not a highly rated prospect.
Skubal grew up in Kingman, Arizona, and received just one college scholarship offer, from Seattle University. After missing the 2017 season because of surgery, he returned to college but had an inconsistent junior year.
The Detroit Tigers selected him in the ninth round of the 2018 draft with the 255th overall pick. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
Remembering his first impression of the pitcher, Boras said:
"He had glowingly long hair, and that arm was electric, and it had come out of nowhere. I'm not sure how many people even knew who he was."
Boras has not shared details about the contract Skubal wants. However, he made it clear that teams are showing serious interest in his client.
"It's very clear that there is a dominant, strong Sku-Bull market," Boras said.
Skubal has good reason to attract so much attention. He won the AL Cy Young Award in both 2024 and 2025 with Detroit. In 2026, he recorded a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts and 27 walks across 158 2/3 innings in 26 starts for the Tigers and Dodgers.
There is also a deadline that could affect negotiations. MLB's current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, 2026. A lockout is expected if the league and players' union fail to reach a new deal.
According to Sportsnet, Boras expects the Skubal market to move quickly, with several teams preparing to meet him before December.
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