LAS VEGAS — Scott Boras’ “math” tells him an ace of Tarik Skubal’s caliber translates into World Series title possibilities for the team that lands him.
“If we look over a 30- or 40-year period, we might have 10 of these aces that are capable of winning multiple Cy Young Awards,” the superagent said Wednesday, mentioning pitchers such as Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson and Max Scherzer who also won World Series titles. “What that means is it has an ability to allow a franchise to win a coveted world championship.
“The math on it is something in the sport that is so high that all of these types of unique talents bring you that opportunity over a period of time.”
The lefty Skubal is scheduled to meet with the Mets, among other teams, next week in Southern California as he pursues a contract that could eclipse the $325 million deal — the richest for a pitcher in MLB history — that Yoshinobu Yamamoto received from the Dodgers three years ago.
Boras was asked if he viewed the Mets as motivated buyers this offseason.
“That would be a question for them, but I think there are a lot of unfulfilled expectations in this league,” Boras said. “There are teams that are really close.”
Two years ago, the Mets signed Boras client Juan Soto to a record $765 million contract over 15 years.
“The one thing that Soto does is you walk in and say, ‘I have got someone that has got a ring on his finger,’ ” Boras said. “ ‘I have got someone who has proven himself to be a champion. I have got someone that in a championship performance, when most required, he is at his best. I have someone who is an elite talent. … I have someone that everyone else would like to acquire.’ If you have someone who has that résumé, I would say I would do that a number of times.”
Mark Vientos’ future with the Mets remains murky, heading toward the deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.
Last season, Vientos posted a .652 OPS and was among the game’s worst defensive players by most metrics.
“He didn’t have the season we think he’s capable of having,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “He’s going into the offseason as a really motivated player, and that is what came out of our exit meetings with him. This is someone who is very motivated to get his career back where it was a couple of years ago, and if he’s able to do that, he’s going to have an opportunity with us.”
