Chicago Cubs Consider Trade for Tarik Skubal: What It Would Take to Land the Detroit Tigers Ace

The Chicago Cubs are on a mission this offseason, aiming to make moves that will elevate them into serious championship contention for 2026. Under the leadership of President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, the team has employed a mix of smart free-agent signings and high-stakes trades to improve their roster, positioning themselves as one of the most improved teams in the league. However, with the Los Angeles Dodgers continuing to dominate the baseball landscape, the Cubs may need one more major move to push them over the top and make them a legitimate threat to baseball’s most dominant dynasty.

In the quest to find that game-changing player, many have turned their attention to Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers’ left-handed ace. As the spring training season nears, trade rumors have heated up, and the Cubs are reportedly one of the teams showing serious interest in acquiring the pitcher widely regarded as one of the best in baseball. But what would it take for the Cubs to land Skubal, and is he worth the price?

The Cubs’ Ambitious Offseason Goals

When the Cubs entered the offseason, they knew they had a steep hill to climb if they were to contend with the juggernauts in their league. Chicago had already made substantial strides in rebuilding their pitching depth and improving their overall roster, yet there remained one glaring hole: a true ace. While they’ve built a strong starting rotation, there has been a noticeable absence of a clear number-one starter, someone who could take the mound in Game 1 of the postseason and give the team a fighting chance.

The Cubs have made their move to address this need. The team has already been considered one of the biggest winners of the offseason, thanks to a combination of savvy free-agent acquisitions and trades. However, to truly stand toe-to-toe with the Dodgers and the other elite teams in the National League, they need more than just a solid rotation—they need a true difference-maker on the mound. That’s where Skubal comes into play.

Tarik Skubal: The Pitcher Who Could Change Everything

Tarik Skubal is one of the most coveted pitchers in all of baseball, and for good reason. The Detroit Tigers’ lefty has been a key part of their pitching staff, and his electric stuff has made him a rising star. Known for his ability to generate strikeouts and keep hitters off balance, Skubal has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. His success has earned him comparisons to some of the best in the game, and his potential to become a perennial Cy Young contender is undeniable.

Skubal’s strikeout numbers alone are enough to turn heads. In 2025, the Cubs’ starting pitchers struck out just 7.5 batters per nine innings, which placed them near the bottom of the league in that category. If the Cubs were able to secure Skubal, his elite strikeout ability would be a game-changer. As Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer pointed out, bringing Skubal into the fold would make the Cubs a much stronger contender in the National League, shifting the focus from merely winning the NL Central to having the kind of ace that could carry the team deep into October.

The Price for Skubal: A Massive Haul

So, what would it take for the Cubs to land Skubal? According to the latest trade proposal from Rymer, the Cubs would need to give up a hefty package of young talent to acquire the lefty. The proposed trade would see the Cubs sending young infielder Matt Shaw, top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins, and first-round selection from last year, Ethan Conrad, to the Tigers in exchange for Skubal.

This trade would be a significant commitment, one that would shake up the Cubs’ prospect pool. Shaw, who has shown promise in the minor leagues, is considered an important part of the Cubs’ future. Wiggins, one of the top pitching prospects in the system, is on the verge of making his big league debut and is expected to have a bright future. And then there’s Conrad, the first-round pick from 2025, who has yet to play professionally but holds significant upside.

It’s clear that the Cubs would be parting with some valuable assets, but the potential return could be a game-changer. Skubal, with his top-tier stuff, would immediately slot into the Cubs’ rotation as their ace, and his presence would be a huge boost to their chances of contending for a World Series title.

A Calculated Risk: Is It Worth It?

While adding Skubal would undoubtedly improve the Cubs’ chances, it’s not a trade without risk. The Cubs would be giving up two key young assets—Wiggins and Shaw—that could help anchor the team’s future. Wiggins, in particular, has the potential to develop into a frontline starter, and parting with him may not be easy for the Cubs. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Conrad’s development means that the Cubs could be giving up a top-tier prospect without truly knowing what they have in him yet.

For Hoyer, the decision will come down to a matter of balancing short-term gains with long-term potential. Skubal would provide immediate value to the Cubs’ starting rotation, but he’s also entering the final years of his contract, making it unlikely the Cubs would have him for the long haul unless they can lock him up to a long-term deal. This is the type of move that could pay off immediately, but it also carries the risk of depleting the Cubs’ prospect pool for a player who could leave after a few seasons.

Controllability: The Key Factor

One of the major factors that the Cubs would need to weigh is controllability. Both Shaw and Wiggins are young players who come with several years of team control, meaning the Cubs would be able to keep them on the roster for the foreseeable future without having to pay them big money. On the other hand, Skubal, while extremely talented, would likely only be around for one or two seasons before hitting free agency unless the Cubs can work out an extension.

This is a delicate balance for Hoyer and the Cubs’ front office to consider. Do they trade away key assets for a short-term boost, knowing they might not have Skubal for long? Or do they hold on to their prospects and continue building for the future, hoping to find another ace without sacrificing so much?

Is Skubal Worth the Gamble?

There’s no question that acquiring Skubal would give the Cubs an elite weapon in their starting rotation, but is he worth the price? With the trade proposal reportedly involving three top prospects, it’s clear that Hoyer would have to give up a lot to land the lefty. But if Skubal can lead the Cubs to a World Series, it would be worth every penny. As Rymer puts it, “You have to give value to get value,” and Skubal would undoubtedly be one of the most valuable additions to the Cubs’ roster.

However, the Cubs would need to be careful not to mortgage their future for a quick fix. While Skubal could be the missing piece they need to contend with the Dodgers and other top teams, the long-term consequences of such a trade are significant. The Cubs will have to decide whether the short-term gain is worth the potential cost to their future success.

In the end, a trade for Tarik Skubal would be a bold move for the Cubs, but it could also be the difference between making a deep playoff run and falling short once again. Whether or not they pull the trigger on this deal remains to be seen, but the stakes are high, and the Cubs’ front office is no stranger to making bold moves when the opportunity arises.

The Cubs’ Path Forward

As the Cubs continue to position themselves for success in 2026, the decision to pursue a trade for Tarik Skubal will have significant implications. If the Cubs can land the ace they desperately need, they’ll be in a much stronger position to contend with the best teams in the National League. However, the price for Skubal is steep, and Hoyer will need to carefully weigh the risks and rewards of making such a high-stakes trade.

No matter the outcome, the Cubs’ front office has shown a commitment to improving the team and building a contender for the future. Whether or not Skubal ends up in Chicago, it’s clear that the Cubs are determined to make a splash in the offseason and ensure that they are a team to be reckoned with for years to come.