San Diego Padres might keep Joe Musgrove after all

Joe Musgrove was as good as gone. The San Diego Padres and his representatives had been discussing an extension since April, but those talks had “fizzled.” It seemed to be a matter of months until Musgrove found himself in free agency.

Those plans may have changed. Not only have extension talks begun once again, but there is a great deal of optimism around these discussions. In fact, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, an extension could come as soon as this week.

San Diego Padres need to keep Joe Musgrove

It did not take long for Musgrove to make an impact in San Diego. Yet another pitcher that excelled after leaving Pittsburgh, he fired the franchise’s first no-hitter in just his second start with the Padres. He has been much more than that outing however, posting a 2.90 ERA and a 1.041 WHiP over his 285.1 innings, striking out 305 batters with 77 walks.

That sort of production would certainly be worth investing in. It was not unreasonable to think that Musgrove would receive a contract similar to what Kevin Gausman and Robbie Ray earned in free agency. And yet, the Padres had offered an eight year deal worth $88 million. With that type of offer, it is not a surprise that discussions ended fairly quickly.

The Padres have clearly reconsidered their offer. If these conversations are beginning once more, and are at a point where a deal could be signed this week, the Padres likely drastically increased their offer from the $11 million per year that Musgrove had been offered earlier.

Nothing is set at this point and will not be until the pen is put to the paper. There is still time for what appears to be a great deal of progress to fall apart and for Musgrove to take that expected path to free agency. However, the fact that the two sides are this close is certainly encouraging.

Just when everyone thought they were dead, the San Diego Padres and Joe Musgrove revived talks. Now he could be staying after all.