Cubs absence from latest Tarik Skubal trade deadline intel reveals Jed Hoyer's true plan

The Chicago Cubs have commonly been mentioned as a potential suitor for Tarik Skubal if the Detroit Tigers make him available ahead of the trade deadline, but the very latest intel doesn't suggest that Skubal is headed to Chicago.

The Tigers entered Tuesday with a three-game losing streak, and the indication is once again that Skubal will be dealt before the deadline. The latest intel is from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, who didn't exactly go out of his way to report that teams interested in Skubal will start to call the Tigers. Specifically, Rosenthal mentioned the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

There was no mention of the Cubs, and that likely is an indication of what exactly Jed Hoyer is looking for ahead of the deadline.

Tarik Skubal is fun deadline dream for the Cubs, but doesn't match reality.

If the Cubs were positioned to win the National League Central and push for a World Series appearance in October, trading for Skubal would be a no-brainer. It would be the 2026 equivalent to the Cubs trading for Aroldis Chapman in 2016.

For better or worse, the "if not now, when" feeling Theo Epstein described when making that trade ten years ago likely isn't a feeling that Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins have at the deadline this year.

That doesn't mean that the Cubs still won't have an aggressive trade deadline. Beyond the cost, which certainly is the biggest reason, the other fact in the Cubs' perceived lack of urgency in pursuing Skubal is the fact that he's a free agent after the season. As much as it's a popular idea to suggest a team can trade for Skubal and immediately sign him to an extension, that's not the reality of the situation. One way or another, Scott Boras will make sure Skubal reaches free agency.

The intention of the front office is clear. Reports are they are willing to trade just about anyone from their system, and chances are it's because they want to come away from the deadline with a starting pitcher under control beyond this season.

It certainly won't be the caliber of pitcher that Skubal is, but if the Cubs add one of Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano, Emmerson Hancock, or Sandy Alcanta, it will be hard to fault the plan of the front office.

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