What happened: The San Diego Padres have expressed early interest in acquiring left-hander Tarik Skubal, according to Jon Morosi on MLB Network. San Diego joins the early market for the ace as teams begin outlining winter priorities.

Why it matters: Skubal represents the most coveted arm available this winter, with contract projections climbing as high as $400 million. Adding a frontline starter would reshape the Padres rotation ahead of the 2027 season.

What to watch: Front offices gather this week at the GM meetings, where formal discussions and price tags across the league will begin to solidify.