Cubs already linked to big-name starting pitchers on MLB trade market

Conclusion

And honestly, while Skubal may be a name that enters the chat, it’s highly unlikely the Cubs would gut the farm to add him. Make no mistake, that’s the scenario – the absolute best your farm has to offer. And while the Cubs do have some fantastic pieces (and Detroit would be ridiculous to not consider them front-runners), they won’t be the only ones bidding. And I don’t see the Cubs existing in that space.

The Cubs MLB-Level Trade Pieces

The Cubs’ more realistic MLB-level trade pieces now are controllable or semi-blocked players like Moisés Ballesteros, Miguel Amaya, Matt Shaw, Nicky Lopez, Javier Assad, or Ethan Roberts, depending on the size of the pitching target. Ballesteros is the most interesting name because he is already on the MLB roster and still carries real prospect value – MLB Pipeline had him as Chicago’s No. 1 prospect entering 2026 and No. 55 overall – but the Cubs also have Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya in the catching picture, which gives them leverage if a true ace becomes available.

How Aggressive Should the Cubs Be?

For a rental or shorter-control arm like Freddy Peralta, Chicago probably tries to build around a non-core MLB piece plus a secondary prospect. For Sandy Alcantara or Traik Skubal, the conversation gets nastier fast – Miami would be asking for Ballesteros, Jaxon Wiggins (Cubs’ current No. 1/2-type pitching prospect depending on updated list), or another top-five system piece, and that’s where the Cubs have to decide whether they’re buying an ace or lighting the farm system on fire.

Peralta is the best cost-to-impact play. Alcantara is the high-end move that costs real blood. And if the Cubs want to shop in the Skubal aisle, they better be ready to paayyyyyyup. Stay tuned.