Cubs Rumors: Jed Hoyer repeats familiar mistake with premature Tarik Skubal free agency exit

Over the years, Jed Hoyer has made practice of ruling the Chicago Cubs out of the bidding for the free agents at the top of the market. No, Hoyer doesn't come outright and say this, but whether it was Juan Soto or Kyle Tucker, Hoyer has made sure to get the messaging out early in the offseason that the Cubs weren't going to be a part of those sweepstakes. On the start of the GM Meetings this week in Las Vegas, Hoyer appears to be doing the same with Tarik Skubal.

Over the past month, the Cubs have been mentioned as a suitor for Skubal. It was mostly because of the need the Cubs have for starting pitcher, and Skubal being the top starter available. Last week, ESPN's Jeff Passan gave the Cubs a lifeline, suggesting they "badly" wanted Skubal, but cautioned that the front office wasn't sure if they would be a serious bidder. At least, not to the level that they can compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets.

It would seem that the Cubs' pursuit of Skubal is dead on arrival at the GM Meetings. The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma reports that the Cubs plan to sit out of the bidding for Skubal this offseason, citing the uncertainty that's ahead with the pending lockout and the idea that the Cubs can't be on the same financial level of the Dodgers and Mets.

Cubs' Tarik Skubal stance exposes a frustrating Jed Hoyer habit

It's odd that, over the years, the Cubs have been so eager to confirm they won't take part in the bidding for the names at the top of the free-agent market. That doesn't really help the Cubs' leverage in other talks, and certainly makes life easier for the Dodgers and Mets. Even if the Cubs had no real intention of meeting Skubal's demand, it wouldn't have hurt to at least give the impression that they were involved.

If we're being honest, the entire piece from Sharma doesn't paint an encouraging picture of the offseason ahead for the Cubs. He runs through several names, such as Michael King and Freddy Peralta, but also offers reasons why a pursuit may not happen this offseason.

Instead, Sharma points to the Cubs trying to bring back Clay Holmes and David Peterson, and even Shota Imanaga if the price is right. There is mentions of converting Adrian Morejon to a starting pitcher, but there's a cap to the offer the Cubs would be willing make.

The Cubs have a lot of boxes to check before the lockout on December 2, and first impressions from the GM Meetings suggest that they don't have the urgency that the moment calls for.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow