Left-hander Tarik Skubal is widely considered the top target for any team looking to add an ace this offseason. But one franchise that should be heavily involved in the starting pitching market this winter reportedly isn't expected to pursue the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

The Chicago Cubs "appear unlikely to enter the bidding war" for Skubal , according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma . However, Sharma also reported that Chicago "will at least check in on every other free-agent pitcher" this offseason .

Six pitchers who started at least nine games for the Cubs in 2026 are now free agents : Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, David Peterson, Kevin Gausman, and Clay Holmes. Outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are also expected to enter free agency .…