Padres Rumors: Writer Predicts Friars Sign Top Starting Pitcher in 2024 Free Agent Market
There's still around two months remaining in the regular season, but it's never too early to have a look at this winter's impending free agent class.
When it comes to the Padres, starting pitcher Blake Snell is set to hit the market this offseason, and he's in the middle of an NL Cy Young worthy year, posting an MLB-low 2.61 ERA.
With that being said, the 30-year-old is set to have plenty of teams vying for his services, so it may be prudent for San Diego to look at backup plans in case Snell leaves.
Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer took a look at the 2024 class, and he sees the Padres signing a top available pitcher this offseason in 2023 NL All-Star Marcus Stroman.
"The Padres, meanwhile, had Stroman on their radar during the 2021-22 offseason. He would be a relatively affordable replacement for Blake Snell, for whom free agency is also looming, and he wouldn't have to live with any less of an infield defense upon changing his threads."
Rymer sees Stroman signing a 3-year, $69 million contact, and he may be a good replacement for Snell in the rotation.
He's had a resurgent year for the surprising Chicago Cubs on his way to an All-Star season -- his first since 2019 -- and although he's performed poorly of late, he'd definitely be a good option for San Diego to look at.
One of the Padres' issues has been their highly compensated but under performing roster, and they could just get a bargain in Stroman.
The Padres figure to have a glaring need in the rotation in a few months, and while Stroman isn't Snell, he'd still be able to serve as a quality No. 2 or No. 3 option in the rotation behind Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove.
