The Chicago Cubs are entering the GM Meetings with a clear need and, at least early on, a cautious approach that may not match the urgency of their rotation problem.
Tarik Skubal is already expected to be out of the picture, and a report from The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma suggests Michael King may not be a realistic target either. Sharma’s reporting was intended to show that, aside from Skubal, the Cubs will at least talk with every other free-agent starter on the market. But the read on it is less encouraging than that: Chicago may not be gearing up to be as aggressive as it needs to be in reshaping its starting staff for the 2027 season.
King is still a name the Cubs could have some interest in. He opted out of his three-year deal with the San Diego Padres, and Sharma noted that the contract he could land probably won’t line up with what the Cubs consider the “right value”.
That would make this a familiar spot for Chicago. King was on the Cubs’ radar last offseason when they were searching for arms capable of slotting near the top of the rotation, but when it came time to actually make offers, they weren’t in the mix.
There are reasons for hesitation. King was dominant late in the regular season and into the playoffs with the Cubs, but his profile isn’t spotless.
After striking out more than 24% of the hitters he faced from 2022 through 2025, he dropped to 21% last year. That’s not a bad number, but it does raise a question for a pitcher who could command a significant deal on the open market.
The Cubs’ larger issue is how they’re trying to solve this. They need starting pitching, but they also seem determined to find value in whoever they sign. That approach has not worked out for them before, and it risks leaving them stuck again.
That’s why stepping outside their comfort zone for Skubal made sense. There are obvious reasons to hesitate on a historic contract, but Skubal’s floor is higher than almost anyone else available. For a Cubs team that has repeatedly run into trouble developing starting pitching, that kind of swing is the one that can actually change the picture.
In Other News...
Cubs May Be Running Out Of Time On Two Former Top Prospects
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Cubs May Already Have A 2027 Outfield Decision Coming Into Focus
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Crow-Armstrong appears likely to be part of that next wave, but Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki may be headed toward free agency by then, which puts some pressure on the organization to plan early. Two internal names to watch are Josiah Hartshorn and James Triantos, both of whom offer the kind of versatility teams value when roster construction gets tight, with Hartshorns defensive flexibility and recent jump to Double-A standing out and Triantos bringing minor league production plus the ability to move around the diamond. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Outfield Reality Is Starting To Crush The Dream Options
The Cubs offseason priorities are coming into focus, and the outfield market is starting to look a lot less glamorous than some fans might have hoped. Chicago is expected to spend most of its energy on pitching in free agency, while the idea of swinging a blockbuster deal for a superstar outfielder has quickly drifted into the background.
Bryce Harper and Ronald Acua Jr. are the kind of names that can ignite a winter, but the reality around both makes those dreams feel remote. Harpers contract is a major obstacle, and Acuas trade status is uncertain enough to make a deal unlikely, which leaves the Cubs pointing toward shorter commitments for veteran hitters and more affordable outfield help on the open market. [Read more 🡒]