Cubs Rumors: Tarik Skubal speculation gets direct endorsement from MLB insider

Talk of the Chicago Cubs and Tarik Skubal have largely felt like speculation throughout the last several months. The Detroit Tigers had the appearances of selling at the deadline, moving Skubal made sense, and the Cubs have a clear need for pitching. It's not a stretch to suggest the Cubs as a fit for Skubal.

Even now, the conversation is layered. The Cubs obviously still have a need for pitching and yes, trading for Skubal would squash any idea of the front office once again punting on the season.

The conversation surrounding the Tigers isn't so simple. The Tigers were 15-11 in June, and started July with a record of 7-3 before the All-Star break. There's still ground to make up, trailing the Chicago White Sox by 6.5 games in the American League Central, but there's a case to be made that Detroit is on a path toward returning to contention this season.

If that's the prevailing thought, it's hard to imagine a scenario where the Tigers trade Skubal. For now, at least, the conversation will go on.

That brings us to the latest from New York Post's Jon Heyman, who mentioned the New York Yankees as obvious suitors for Skubal. Surprisingly, Heyman throws cold water on the idea of the Los Angeles Dodgers being involved, suggesting they don't want to give up top prospects for a rental. Outside of the Yankees, the MLB insider lists the Cubs, along with the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves, as the "prime players" for Skubal.

Is Scott Boras using the Cubs as part of his ultimate Tarik Skubal trade deadline ploy?

Heyman's report is the first direct mention of the Cubs being involved in the sweepstakes for Skubal ahead of the deadline. Heyman has also been the only MLB insider to routinely push the Cubs as a player for Skubal.

The Cubs almost certainly have an interest in Skubal, but it's also possible that Scott Boras is at play. Heyman is pretty close with Boras, so whenever information on Skubal is leaked from Heyman, there's always a good guess where it is coming from. It makes sense for Boras to want the Cubs out there as a suitor, considering it gives the impression, how real or not, that they could trade for the ace and consequently sign him to a long-term deal.

More or less, it's plausible Boras is doing early angling for Skubal and the contract he could receive this offseason. In reality, the guess here is that the Cubs would have the same mindset as the Dodgers in not wanting to trade top prospects for a pitcher they will only have for two months.

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