Padres' Struggling Offense Complicates Pursuit of Tigers' Tarik Skubal

A.J. Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations, is known for his bold approach, particularly during MLB trade deadlines. He made headlines last summer with a major trade that brought Mason Miller from the Athletics to San Diego, involving a significant package that included top prospect Leo De Vries and three others. This move underscored the Padres’ ambition for a deep playoff run, with expectations extending into 2026.

However, recent developments have cast doubt on their pursuit of Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, once viewed as a prime target for a blockbuster deal. The Padres' offensive struggles have raised concerns about their ability to compete effectively. Currently, they sit at the bottom of the league in batting average, OPS, runs scored, and total bases, making it challenging for Preller to justify a significant trade.

MLB insider Jeff Passan weighed in on the situation, noting, “I think the Padres’ deadline is going to be fascinating this year because when you are in the same league as the Dodgers and the Braves and the Phillies and the Brewers… the National League is stacked.” He pointed out that if Preller is assessing his team’s capabilities, acquiring Skubal might not be the best move if the offense continues to falter.

Passan also highlighted the potential impact of including top prospect Ethan Salas in any trade discussions, suggesting that the Tigers would have to consider any offers that include him. Yet, he questioned whether it makes sense for the Padres to rent a player like Skubal given their current flaws. “I just don’t know if this is the Padres team that’s going to go out and chase,” he remarked.

After a disappointing exit in the wild-card round against the Cubs last postseason, the Padres now face a critical juncture as the trade deadline approaches. It remains uncertain whether Preller will take risks to bolster the team while they seek to resolve their offensive issues.