One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

San Diego Padres: Stephen Strasburg

The Padres shocked the baseball-loving world last winter by landing Manny Machado for ten years and $300 million. No one would have expected the smallish-market Padres to have that type of money, but the contract serves as a reminder that every MLB owner is spectacularly wealthy and can spend whatever it takes when he feels so inclined. Even more shocking than the Machado contract was the fact that the Padres didn’t fully rule themselves out from chasing Bryce Harper, who was still on the market at the time.

Ultimately, the Padres were unable to find another $30 million per year to add Harper to their lineup, but they are already talking aggressively about spending again this winter, and there is a hometown star on the market just waiting to be pursued.

San Diego’s own, three-time All-Star and World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg opted out of the final four years and $100 million with the Nationals, and the Padres plan to make an aggressive push to bring him home. Strasburg was born and raised in San Diego and attended San Diego State University before becoming the top overall pick in the 2009 draft.

For all the money they have spent the last two offseasons on star free agents, the Padres continue to struggle to climb out of the NL West basement. Developing starting pitching continues to be a huge struggle for the organization. The Padres have had no problem cultivating exciting offensive prospects but have not had the same luck with their pitchers.

The Nationals will be the obvious favorites to work out what is effectively a contract extension with Strasburg, but if he does have a burning desire to return home, the Padres have to swoop in.