2 major free agents we can safely assume the Cubs won't be in on next offseason

Starting rotation depth is not a concern for the Chicago Cubs heading into 2026. With as many as 10 arms capable of starting - including a projected Opening Day mix that includes Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd - Jed Hoyer has done a nice job layering in contingency plans on the pitching staff.

There are still questions over whether or not a bona fide ace will emerge from this group. Horton definitely looked the part down the stretch last summer and Cabrera certainly has the stuff - but we cannot yet say for sure. That's one of many questions the 2026 season will answer as it plays out.

If nobody seizes that #1 role, there are two huge names looming on next offseason's free agent market in Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta. Unfortunately, there's next to chance the Cubs are serious suitors for either one.

Freddy Peralta's long-term goals, Tarik Skubal's dollars are dealbreakers

Last week, we learned Freddy Peralta is very open to signing a long-term deal to stay in Queens beyond just the 2026 season. According to reports, he's looking for a seven to eight-year pact - well outside the typical range of contract the Cubs are interested in.

Peralta, who turns 30 in June, is a familiar commodity to both the Cubs and skipper Craig Counsell, who managed the right-hander in Milwaukee for six years before coming to Chicago. Coming off the best season of his big-league career (2.70 ERA in 176 2/3 innings of work), if he can replicate that level of performance, he'll be poised for a major payday in his first foray into free agency.

Back-to-back reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is even more unlikely, strictly based on the dollars he's going to seek - especially if he makes it three-straight seasons as the league's top hurler. Early estimates range from $400-500 million, which would shatter the current high-water mark for a pitcher contract (12 years, $325 million - Yoshinobu Yamamoto).

That's not a contract the Cubs will have any sort of interest in, regardless of length. Ownership and the front office aren't about to tie up that level of money in one player - especially a pitcher. Chicago's best hope for a long-term ace is probably already on the roster in someone like Horton, because they just don't play in the deep end of the free-agent pool in the way that's needed to sign a Skubal or Peralta.