MLB Execs Believe Padres GM A.J. Preller Could Land Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal In Trade

Year after year, San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller works the phones to try and make changes at the trade deadline. 

This year isn't expected to be any different, and it remains to be seen what Preller has up his sleeve. 

Last deadline, the highlight was the Padres trading Leo De Vries, a top prospect, to the Athletics for superstar closer Mason Miller. 

Now, one MLB executive thinks that Preller could be interested in another major arm: Detroit Tigers ace and reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. 

Skubal is on an expiring deal and is widely expected to hit free agency and command a massive contract this offseason. 

However, Skubal underwent surgery in May to have loose bodies removed from his elbow, and the Tigers losing games makes it possible that Detroit could consider trading away their superstar. 

Robert Murray of FanSided asked three MLB executives what a potential return package could be for Skubal. And, in the process, one exec said that Preller could make it work. 

When asked about whether or not a team would trade some top prospects for Skubal, the exec said, “The Padres will." 

Another name dropped Preller as well as some other GMs in a possible Skubal trade. 

“It would have to be a [Dave] Dombrowski or [AJ] Preller to get a top prospect. Everyone else treats it like Wall Street and asset value so my guess is a couple of top 10 prospects for a couple months of him. Or [Andrew] Friedman could go out and get him."

Now, the issue for San Diego is that the farm system is depleted after a series of trades over the years. 

Kash Mayfield has looked excellent early on, and pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft is another big name. 

Catcher Ethan Salas has also turned things around so far this year, but it remains to be seen if Preller is comfortable trading Salas. 

The other issue for a team trying to land Skubal is that it will essentially be a two-month rental, so giving up a few top prospects for two months worth of starts is a tough pill to swallow, unless you feel good about signing him long-term. 

Then again, Preller and the Padres have been aggressive in years past, although this is a bit different than the Juan Soto deal. When they acquired Soto, he had some control due to his contract, and the Padres ended up flipping him to the New York Yankees for a package including Michael King and Randy Vasquez. 

At the end of the day, Preller won't back down.