Jon Heyman Mets could have surprising company in Tarik Skubal sweepstakes By Jon Heyman Published April 23, 2026, 6:13 p.m. ET Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Milwaukee Brewers. AP The early belief is that José E. Feliciano, nearing a purchase of the Padres for $3.9 billion, will be in it to win. Could that mean the Mets, Dodgers and others will have extra competition for this year’s top free agent, Tigers two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal?
Some see Feliciano resuming the winning strategy of late Padres owner Peter Seidler, a visionary who turned the club from a historically sleepy team into a force after acquiring and signing big-time stars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. (and previously acquiring Juan Soto).
Seidler, incidentally, was prepared to go to $600 million for Soto long before anyone saw Soto as a $765M player.
Feliciano’s expected style should work well for recently extended, ultra-aggressive GM A.J. Preller, who signed Lucas Giolito for a prorated $3M.
