Why the Chicago Cubs are not likely to land Tarik Skubal at the 2026 MLB trade deadline

It is no secret that the Chicago Cubs are in dire need of pitching reinforcements as the MLB trade deadline draws closer and closer. Over the past several weeks (months, even), the Cubs have been linked to numerous high-profile pitchers. Of course, this is because Chicago’s pitching staff has been decimated by injuries ever since before the season began.

As of late, the Cubs have been mentioned in trade rumors regarding two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Currently, Skubal is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA with the Detroit Tigers and is in the final year of the club’s control over him.

The Chicago Cubs may not have the assets to acquire Tarik Skubal

Chicago Cubs, Tarik Skubal — Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Even though he has no years of club control remaining after 2026, Skubal’s status as a two-time Cy Young Award winner, as well as the strong demand for his services, make him a very expensive trade target.

While he would be the ideal acquisition for Chicago at the trade deadline, the fact of the matter is that they simply may not be able to compete with the packages offered by other teams. As ESPN’s Jeff Passan writes:

“The Cubs don’t have the prospect depth of the Dodgers, Brewers and Rays and have no intentions of dealing outfielder Josiah Hartshorn. Can a combination of multiple young bats and right-hander Jaxon Wiggins be enough to land the prize?

“Chicago is going to be creative — with Ayers on the cusp, the Cubs have talked about Carson Kelly with teams seeking a right-handed-hitting catcher, for example — because in a league with the Dodgers, Brewers, Braves and Phillies, walking into a postseason with clear weaknesses is doom waiting to happen.”

Unfortunately for the Cubs and their fans, Chicago’s farm system does not have the number of high quality prospects that other teams interested in Skubal have. The Cubs are almost certainly going to be outbid for him.

What they can do, though, is use the resources they do have to improve the current roster. At 61-47, they are one of the best teams in the National League anyway. Adding some stabilizing arms, even those not as dominant as Skubal, will help in the short term (this season).

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