Padres Join the Skubal Chase as His Meetings With Six Teams Begin This Week

Sunday, November 15, 2026 — the biggest free agent of the winter starts taking meetings, and San Diego wants a seat at the table.

Tarik Skubal is set to meet with six teams, including the Mets, Dodgers and Padres, The Associated Press reported during the GM Meetings in Las Vegas. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the Mets, Padres, Blue Jays and Dodgers are expected to meet with the two-time Cy Young winner in California this week.

Why the Padres Are In

San Diego’s need is obvious. With Michael King opting out and Nick Pivetta’s option declined, the Padres need four or five starting pitchers. Beyond Skubal, they have shown interest in Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez and Matthew Boyd.

The bigger question is money. A.J. Preller plans to talk through spending capacity with incoming ownership after a 2026 payroll of about $224 million. Heyman has reported that the expected new owner, José E. Feliciano, will be “in it to win” — which could make San Diego a real threat.

The Rest of the Field

The consensus still points to the Mets and Dodgers. The Mets’ meeting is expected to include owner Steve Cohen and David Stearns. The Blue Jays have also emerged as a serious bidder. The Cubs reportedly have backed out, and the Giants consider Skubal’s price too high.

The Cap Complication

Every bid comes with a new wrinkle. Owners are pushing for a salary cap that could arrive as early as 2028, and eight teams — including the Dodgers, Mets and Padres — would have to reduce payroll to get under it, according to MLB. That makes a long-term megadeal riskier than usual, even for the sport’s richest clubs.

The Pitcher

Skubal turns 30 on November 20. He went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 158 innings in 2026, splitting the year between Detroit and Los Angeles, and missed six weeks early in the season after a procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow. He is expected to sign before the CBA expires on December 1.

The Read

The Mets and Dodgers remain the favorites, but the Padres’ involvement depends on how far their new ownership is willing to go. With meetings starting and the lockout clock ticking, Skubal’s decision could come quickly — and it will set the market for everything else this winter.