Chicago Cubs fans have been put through the wringer since this past trade deadline.

Of course, the team's up-and-down play that led to an unceremonious Wild Card exit has a lot to do with that. But the Cubs have also been in and out of conversations surrounding one of the best pure talents in the league.

Tarik Skubal was finally dangled in the trade market during the 2026 season. Chicago was rumored to be among the interested teams, only for the Los Angeles Dodgers to predictably come in and acquire the ace. Nevertheless, with his free agency looming, the Cubs remained tied to Skubal amid their obvious rotational needs.

Did it ever feel like the Cubs should be considered the frontrunners for Skubal? No, but Jed Hoyer's recent aggressiveness had some believing Chicago could remain in the mix as free agency heated up. Alas, a storm cloud of cold water arrived on Monday morning.

According to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma , the Cubs are prepared to sit out the Skubal market.…