Cubs Tarik Skubal trade rumor 'can't be ruled out' for Jed Hoyer
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Cubs Tarik Skubal trade rumor 'can't be ruled out' for Jed Hoyer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs are one of the many clubs that could show interest in Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline.
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Still undetermined by the Detroit Tigers is whether they will make the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner available for trade.
If the Tigers decide to sell and trade Skubal, Chicago's president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, should at least entertain the idea despite an anticipated high cost.
"The Cubs have such a glaring need at the top of their rotation that putting the odds at zero percent right now would be a miscalculation," The Athletic's Will Sammon, Patrick Mooney, and Katie Woo wrote. "Skubal to Wrigley Field can’t be completely ruled out yet when the playoff probabilities are this high and the everyday lineup is so solid on both sides of the ball."
Hoyer may prefer to make trades for pitchers who have at least one year of club control remaining after 2026. Meanwhile, Skubal is an impending free agent.
Hoyer may target non-impending free agents
"But if the price is going to be exorbitant, Jed Hoyer’s front office is aiming more for a starting pitcher who remains under club control beyond this season, as well as bullpen reinforcements," The Athletic trio wrote.
"This would also be a much different conversation internally if the Cubs were leading their division and trending toward a first-round bye in the playoffs."
MORE: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances
Injuries to Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and Edward Cabrera are not ideal for a postseason hopeful team.
All five pitchers have spent time on the IL this season, with Horton out for the year due to Tommy John Surgery.
Having Skubal in the postseason rotation would be the top injury replacement maneuver the Cubs can make despite his impending free agency.
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- MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline