Padres Have Expressed Interest In Tarik Skubal

MLB Trade Rumors reported that the San Diego Padres have expressed interest in Tarik Skubal, the 30-year-old left-handed pitcher who is now a free agent. Bleacher Report said Skubal is likely to sign in November, before the collective bargaining agreement expires in December, though no deal is imminent. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Skubal is likely to sign in November, before the collective bargaining agreement runs out in December.

Skubal went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA, 186 strikeouts, and a 0.964 WHIP across the Tigers and Dodgers last season, Bleacher Report reported. Those numbers dipped slightly from his back-to-back Cy Young Award-winning seasons, but he is still considered elite and is likely to receive a record deal.

The Dodgers remain heavily involved. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the end of the season, "We have a tremendous amount of respect for him on and off the field, and for us, he's put himself in this position to go out and be a free agent. And for us, it's to continue to talk to Scott [Boras, his agent]." Bleacher Report noted the Dodgers are still a win-now team with pieces in place to return to the Fall Classic next year and compete for a third title in four years.

The New York Mets are also interested in acquiring Skubal, but Heyman noted that the team's bidding for Juan Soto two years ago may impact how much they are willing to bid. Bleacher Report's prediction is that Skubal signs with New York or Los Angeles, with few other teams positioned to pay out what they will.

The New York Times reported that the Cubs plan to sit out the Tarik Skubal bidding war, though their pitching needs are clear. CBS Sports reported that the Dodgers could be Skubal or bust, while the Red Sox are looking for pitching depth.