Could Padres land a Cy Young-winning comeback candidate this winter?

The San Diego Padres continue to chase its Holy Grail of winning the team's first World Series title. 

In recent seasons, almost no move seems too gigantic for the organization with president of baseball operations A.J. Preller at the helm. This winter is no different, as the Padres seem to be lurking around nearly every big-money free agent.

Baseball Prospectus projects that the Padres are currently over the $241 million luxury tax threshold. While San Diego may not be in the same financial stratosphere as the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, the organization seems content to spend quite freely in its quest for a Major League Baseball title.

With reliable starter Joe Musgrove out for the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, the Padres have a rotation hole to fill. 

To that end, BVM Sports reports that San Diego is eyeing 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber as a potential Musgrove replacement.

Bieber, the former staff ace of the Cleveland Guardians, is himself coming off Tommy John surgery performed last April and likely will not be able to take the mound until early-to-mid summer of this upcoming season.

Despite the perception that he may be damaged goods, Spotrac currently lists Bieber's market value as commanding a six-year, $147.1 million contract.

However, those numbers favor a healthy Bieber, still in the prime of his career. He is a candidate to sign a shorter-term "make good" deal this winter, as teams likely won't be leaping to invest big bucks until the two-time All-Star proves he can still perform at a top level.

Before having the procedure performed, Bieber excelled over six-plus seasons for the Guardians. He posted a 62-32 record and 3.22 ERA over 136 starts since making his MLB debut in 2018.

More MLB: Could Mets make a shock trade to supplant Edwin Diaz with 49-save closer