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Padres Notes: SD Sleeper for Tarik Skubal, Linked to 2 Key Free Agents, Adrian Morejon Too Expensive?

Catch up on all the latest Padres news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres have been listed as a sleeper team for two-time Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal, a Los Angeles Dodgers free agent. The southpaw would instantly become a difference maker in a Padres rotation that was desperately in need of star power last season.

MLB insider Robert Murray spoke on The Baseball Insiders podcast about how the relentlessness of president of baseball operations AJ Preller paired with a new ownership group may equal an unexpected run at Skubal.

"That new ownership group there, they got a taste of what winning was like," Murray said. "They got to see how competitive that baseball team was. They got to see how [Petco Park] just absolutely rocks. They have a GM in AJ Preller who will explore anything. And I could see, very easily, the San Diego Padres exploring the waters for Tarik Skubal."

In other news, Skubal isn't the only free agent linked to San Diego as a slugging second baseman and a Milwaukee Brewers postseason hero have also been linked to the Friars this offseason. The infield may have an extremely different look come 2027, but at least in terms of offensive production in the postseason, perhaps some new faces in the batting order won't be much of an issue.

Finally, left-hander Adrian Morejon has been among the best relief pitchers in baseball over the past few seasons, but Padres insider Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune warned that his talents might require something out of the Padres' price range this winter.

"If the low-end projection of $15 million a year ends up being his market, perhaps the Padres can be players to keep the left-hander who has thrown more innings (223.1) in relief over the past three seasons than any pitcher in the major leagues," Acee wrote.

"But there are others projecting something like a three-year deal for more than $70 million for the 27-year-old Morejon. ... That is likely too rich for a team that also needs to add/retain at least a couple of starting pitchers to place atop its rotation."

Here’s all the latest Padres news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Padres Emerging as 'Sleeper Team' for Tarik Skubal in Free Agency, Says Insider

Padres Listed as Best Fit for 35-Homer Free Agent Projected to Land $45 Million Deal

Padres Listed as Best Fit for Brewers Postseason Hero in Free Agency

Padres Could Lose Adrian Morejon For Unfortunate Reason

Padres Lose Key Executive to Rival Dodgers in Same Role

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Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles with a focus in sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at Newsweek and Dodgers Nation. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and received his Masters of Science at the University of Southern California in 2025.

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