New Tarik Skubal Rumors on Cubs' Pursuit amid Dodgers, Mets Buzz Entering MLB Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs have no plans to enter the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma .

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

To that end, Chicago won't be willing to meet the cost it will take to sign Skubal, though it "will at least check in on every other free-agent pitcher."

The New York Post 's Jon Heyman reported last week the Dodgers and Mets are shaping up to be the most aggressive suitors for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

For Cubs fans, ownership's investment has been a regular source of frustration in recent years. The 2020 season is the last time Chicago had a top-five payroll on Opening Day.

One can question the ultimate value in paying a pitcher at the top end of the market. Peruse the list of highest-paid aces and there are a lot of starters who have battled injuries, haven't performed well, or suffered from a combination of the two.

Nobody will argue over Skubal's dominance on the mound. Since the start of 2023, he has posted a 2.47 ERA and 2.42 FIP while averaging 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He's one of the best in the game and by far the best starting pitcher in free agency this winter.

Still, there's always some risk in shelling out for a starter who's about to enter his age-30 season, especially for the money Skubal will command. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projected the southpaw to get $352 million over eight years.

In time, the Cubs might be vindicated if they make little to no effort to sign Skubal.

But it always sends a bad message with a team preemptively removes itself from the running for a marquee free agent. There's also the fact that shopping in the lower tiers of the market often means you get what you pay for.

The Cubs struck gold when they bought low on Jake Arrieta, but their general approach to pitching has far more often yielded good but not great solutions like Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Drew Smyly and Marcus Stroman.

Once again, the front office might ultimately fail to improve the starting rotation to a meaningful degree if it has to set its ceiling at Freddy Peralta, Michael King or Trevor Rogers.