Cubs Get Linked to Tarik Skubal as Offseason Begins

The Chicago Cubs have a need in their starting rotation. That much was well established during the 2026 season, but it’s even more apparent now that Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd have both declined their player options and become free agents.

The Cubs’ current starting rotation includes Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, Javier Assad, and Braxton Garrett. That’s nowhere near good enough for a team that should have annual aspirations of winning the NL Central and competing for a World Series championship.

The division-rival Milwaukee Brewers just showed what elite pitching is capable of accomplishing on their way to a World Series title. It’s time for the Cubs to set their sights on the top pitchers available on the market, and none will be more sought after than left-hander Tarik Skubal.

As we prepare for the beginning of free agency in the coming days, the Cubs have already been linked to Skubal. Whether his sweepstakes last the entire winter or reach a quick conclusion in November before the collective bargaining agreement expires and a potential lockout begins, the Cubs should be involved in pursuing Skubal the whole way.

Cubs Linked to Tarik Skubal Ahead of Free Agency

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, “The Mets, Dodgers, Tigers, Blue Jays and Cubs are expected to be among the suitors” for Skubal.

Spotrac currently projects Skubal’s market value at approximately $275 million over seven years. Ultimately, I think that’s a bit light. I’d expect his next contract to approach $350 million, if not $400 million, especially considering the number of big-market teams expected to be involved in the bidding.

That seems to be the national consensus. Feinsand also noted in his MLB.com article that Skubal is expected to surpass Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million deal with the Dodgers, which is currently the largest pitching contract in baseball history. He may even challenge Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander for the largest annual salary for a pitcher, with the record currently sitting at $43.33 million.

A steep price to pay, yes. But not one the Cubs can’t afford.

When you have a team like the Chicago Cubs currently do, a contending club with players in their prime and aging veterans, there should be a sense of urgency in the front office to deliver a championship-caliber roster. Then you factor in the team’s overall revenue and popularity. There’s no reason for the Cubs not to spend at the same level as the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees on a regular basis.

Chicago has found a way to make a splash addition in nearly every offseason over the last few years. But this year, that addition needs to be a pitcher.

Cubs fans have their sights set on the top of the market, and for good reason. Adding Tarik Skubal would instantly make the Cubs one of the top contenders in the National League, if not the outright favorite, provided they can finish building out the rest of their starting rotation.

But when you look at the rest of that current group, Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, and even Braxton Garrett cannot be relied upon with much confidence in 2027 and beyond. They’ve all dealt with either injury issues or inconsistencies in their performance that make it difficult to count on them as dependable rotation members, let alone top-of-the-rotation arms.

So maybe it starts with Skubal, but the Cubs should be looking to make multiple starting pitching additions as the free agent and trade markets unfold this offseason.