Jed Hoyer is at it again, and this time the target is Tarik Skubal.
As the GM Meetings opened this week in Las Vegas, the Cubs’ stance on the top of the pitching market started to come into focus. Over the past month, Chicago had been floated as a possible fit for Skubal because of its need for starting pitching and because Skubal sits at the top of the available starter list. ESPN’s Jeff Passan even said last week that the Cubs “badly” wanted Skubal, though he added that the front office was not sure whether it would be a serious bidder.
Now that looks like a dead end. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma reported that the Cubs plan to sit out the bidding for Skubal this offseason, pointing to the uncertainty surrounding the pending lockout and the reality that Chicago cannot match the financial level of the Dodgers or Mets.
That kind of early exit has become a familiar pattern under Hoyer. He has repeatedly made sure the message gets out before the market really heats up, whether the name is Juan Soto or Kyle Tucker. The result is a Cubs team that seems to bow out of the biggest free-agent fights before they even start.
And that doesn’t exactly help. If the Cubs had no real intention of meeting Skubal’s price, they still could have at least left the door cracked and created the impression they were in the mix. Instead, the Dodgers and Mets get the clean runway.
Sharma’s reporting also paints a broader picture of where this offseason may be headed for Chicago, and it isn’t especially aggressive. He mentions Michael King and Freddy Peralta as possible names, but also lays out reasons a pursuit may not happen.
The Cubs are also looking at bringing back Clay Holmes and David Peterson, and even Shota Imanaga if the price is right. There is mention of converting Adrian Morejon into a starter, though there’s a limit to what the Cubs would be willing to offer.
With the lockout set for December 2, the Cubs have plenty to sort through. But based on the first read from Las Vegas, urgency doesn’t seem to be the headline.
In Other News...
Cubs May Be Losing A Dream Pitching Target At The Worst Time
The next MLB offseason already has the feel of something unusual, with collective bargaining talks looming and a likely owner-implemented lockout set to begin Dec. 2. If that happens, the usual winter rhythm could get thrown off, which is why the General Managers Meetings in November may end up carrying more weight than usual for clubs trying to get business done before the calendar gets turned upside down.
For the Cubs, that matters because one of the biggest pitching names on the market may be slipping out of reach. Tarik Skubal had been viewed as a potential dream target, but reports now indicate Chicago is not expected to be among the major bidders, a notable shift for a team that could have used a front-line arm if the market opened the way many expected. With the offseason already looking volatile, the Cubs may have to watch a premium opportunity move elsewhere before the real bidding even fully begins. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Brown Uncertainty Just Raised The Stakes For Cubs Free Agency
The Cubs already had a rotation puzzle on their hands entering the offseason, with multiple free agents to sort through and injury concerns lingering around the staff. Ben Brown only adds to the uncertainty. The right-hander has not resumed throwing after a recurring neck injury, and the possibility of surgery has put another layer of doubt over how Chicago approaches its pitching plans.
For a team trying to rebuild the rotation, Browns status matters because it changes the level of risk the front office has to manage. Chicago cannot afford to treat the staff as a finished project, and the latest update only reinforces the need for aggressive moves as the Cubs weigh how much help they need and how quickly they need it. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cubs Lefty Gets Another Shot To Stick In The Majors
A former Cubs lefty is getting another chance to make an impression in big league camp. The Cleveland Guardians signed Antoine Kelly to a minor league contract and brought him into major league spring training, giving the 25-year-old a fresh opportunity after he reached the majors with Chicago last season and turned in 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Yankees in his debut.
Kelly has spent parts of four seasons at the Triple-A level and is still trying to turn tools and pedigree into a more permanent role. He has already moved through five organizations before landing with Cleveland, which makes this next stop feel like another important checkpoint in a career that has kept him on the move while he searches for a foothold in the majors. [Read more 🡒]