San Diego Padres MUST Sign Tarik Skubal 

With the Los Angeles Dodgers losing in the NLCS, their season and dream of a three-peat is over. The biggest Dodger who will hit free agency is star left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal.

Skubal was traded to Los Angeles at the deadline by the Detroit Tigers. Skubal went to the right destination in hopes of winning his first World Series. But his dream will continue on as he will enter the 2027 season without a ring. 

MLB Lockout Impact

A note we must write about before we talk more about Skubal is the lurking lockout for next season. There has been no agreement between MLB Owners and MLBPA on a salary cap. If no agreement is made (which is looking likely), the MLB season will be put on hold for a lockout. 

The lockout would end once both parties agree to what will likely be a salary cap to avoid stacking teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Padres Have No Pitching 

All of the Padres’starting pitchers are hitting free agency. With that, we can assume that they’ll be stripped of almost all starters and will need to reset in free agency.

With what’s expected to be a reset, the Padres need to get a true Ace to help out their stars. That star would have to be Skubal. He’ll demand a ton of money. Likely over $30 million, but he’s  worth every penny you give him. 

New Ownership

The Padres have new owners in José E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones. They spent $3.9 billion for the franchise, setting a new MLB valuation record back in August. 

With new ownership comes the will to spend more money. The Padres have been on the cusp for so many years, and a new chapter opening with brand-new ownership may be all that’s needed. 

They have the superstars in Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill. But, all those guys play a huge role in the box and defense. On the mound, they haven’t had a true superstar. 

Tarik Skubal Is a Star 

Over Skubal’s seven-year career in the MLB, he has proved himself as one of the best starting pitchers in baseball and the best left-handed starter in the league. With back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, Skubal became the first American League pitcher since Pedro Martinez to win the award in consecutive seasons. His ability to consistently dominate opposing hitters has separated him from other pitchers and made him one of the most valuable arms in baseball.

Skubal brings everything a team looks for in a starting pitcher. He can overpower hitters, generate strikeouts, and work deep into games while giving his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound. Having a pitcher of his caliber at the top of the rotation would give the Padres a major advantage against some of the best lineups in the National League.

For San Diego, signing Skubal would be about more than adding another starting pitcher. It would be about bringing in an established superstar who can help lead the team through the regular season and into October. The Padres have the ambition to compete for a World Series, and acquiring a two-time Cy Young winner would send a message to the rest of baseball that they are serious about winning a championship.