The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline, and after failing to win the World Series after their all-in move, they must now decide if they want to retain him as a free agent.
Skubal is a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner and was great again this year for the Detroit Tigers and the Dodgers. Any team would love to have him, but his price tag will limit which teams actually have a chance to get him. The real contenders are all big-market teams, and SNY's John Harper predicted he would sign with the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs would seem like one of the least likely big markets to land Skubal, especially if the Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Yankees make an effort. However, they are desperate for an ace and have a ton of money coming off the books.
"After a quick exit in the postseason, the Cubs have more than $100 million coming off their payroll, a glaring need for an ace, and the added incentive of knowing their neighbors to the north, the rival Brewers, just won the World Series," wrote Harper. "All of which I believe will add up to them outbidding the Mets, the Dodgers, and anybody else who pursues Skubal, even if it means going to eight years at $45 million or so per season."
Skubal would not fix the Cubs' rotation single-handedly, but he would go a long way in doing so. He is a true ace, and the Cubs would have a great chance to win the 30-plus games he starts a season. However, they would still need to fill the spots behind him. Edward Cabrera struggled and dealt with injuries last year and Cade Horton could be out for the year.
Justin Steele coming back could help, but they will still need to add more starters even if they land Skubal.