Cubs out of Skubal chase, but targeting three starting pitchers, insider says

The Chicago Cubs have a lot to do this offseason, and very little time in which to do it.

They have to find a way to replace both corner outfielders—Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ—who will likely be leaving via free agency, along with catcher Carson Kelly.

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They need at least one dominant closer-capable arm in the bullpen.

And, of course, they need to pretty much completely rebuild their starting rotation.

Chicago’s entire end-of-season starting rotation—Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson—are set to leave via free agency. What’s left behind is a mess of doubt and question marks in the form of Justin Steele, who hasn’t pitched in almost two full seasons due to elbow surgery and a subsequent setback in recovery, along with injury-plagued Ben Brown and the disappointing Edward Cabrera.

Not even entering the Tarik Skubal bidding war?

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If the Cubs want to make a serious run at the postseason this coming year, they’re going to have to get their rotation situation sorted out.

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic is making it clear that, according to his sources, the Cubs’ rotation plans won’t include the much-coveted Tarik Skubal.

Per Sharma:

“The 29-year-old Skubal would be a good fit for any team; that much is clear. But for the Cubs, that’s where the match ends, team sources indicated…Toppling a market that’s expected to include the biggest spenders in the game for Skubal won’t be in the cards.

The Cubs have shown no interest in spending like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. This winter, one in which labor negotiations muddy the waters for teams and their finances, won’t be an exception.”

It’s not entirely unexpected that Chicago wouldn’t seriously be in on any Skubal bidding war. This is a team that doesn’t enter into long-term, big-money contracts easily and, when it comes to pitching, they pretty much never open up the bank book like that.

Three new rotation pieces?

Sharma does indicate, however, that Jed Hoyer and the Cubs plan on exploring deals with every other top-of-the-line free agent starting pitcher on the market, as well as trade opportunities, with the goal of adding multiple rotation pieces—three starters to be exact.

Per Sharma:

“All of that means the Cubs will need to add multiple starting pitchers. Bringing in five no-doubt rotation pieces may be unrealistic. But three? That’s likely the goal.”

Adding three starting pitchers would be ideal, given the Cubs’ needs. Realistically, only one of those three would likely be a top-tier free agent. Another one might come via trade. The third could possibly be a lower-tier free agent on a short-term “prove-it” contract. Also, don’t discard the possibility that one or two of those incoming pitchers could actually be holdovers from 2026, like Clay Holmes, David Peterson, or Matthew Boyd.

Whatever the case, the Cubs clearly recognize that the rotation needs a lot of fixing and, essentially, a complete rebuild before the start of 2027.

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