Source: Mets to meet with prized ace Tarik Skubal next week

The San Diego Padres, under new ownership led by Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, are pursuing free-agent left-hander Tarik Skubal as the centerpiece of their offseason plans, according to Padres Mission. The franchise, purchased for a record $3.9 billion, enters the winter without the debt or payroll-slashing mandates that constrained previous regimes, and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller is described as having "no handcuffs" for the first time. He is represented by Scott Boras.

Padres Mission reports that Skubal's price tag will likely start at eight years and $360 million or nine years and $405 million, which would set a record average annual value for a pitcher at $45 million. The outlet notes that opt-outs are probably not in the equation given Skubal's hardball arbitration tactics with the Tigers last offseason, though deferrals could be in play as Boras has used them in deals for Corbin Burnes and Alex Bregman but not Juan Soto.

The Padres' current rotation consists of Joe Musgrove, who pitched only five innings in 2026, Randy Vasquez, and JP Sears, acquired in the 2025 Mason Miller trade. Yu Darvish is called a "total wild card." None would profile as a Game 1 postseason starter. The article argues that signing Skubal would be the first step in rebuilding the rotation long-term after the club relied on veterans like German Marquez, Walker Buehler, Griffin Canning and Lucas Giolito on short-term deals that did not pan out in 2026.

Competition for Skubal includes the Dodgers, New York Mets, and potentially the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, according to the Padres Mission analysis. The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are deemed unlikely suitors. The outlet notes Skubal's West Coast roots — born in Northern California, raised in Arizona, attended college in Seattle — as a factor. Adding Skubal could also make re-signing Michael King, who emerged as the Padres' second-half ace, a stronger possibility at a projected four years and $25-28 million AAV, alongside a potential return for Nick Martinez. The Padres lost to the Dodgers in the 2024 NLDS and the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2025 NLDS, using 11 true starters over the course of the 2026 season.