Story perspectives

Blue Jays, Cubs Hunt Starting Pitchers Before Trade Deadline.

6/26/2026

Summary

Cubs Seek Starter

Teams in United States and Canada are chasing starters before the August 3 trade deadline.
Blue Jays could add a pitcher such as Tarik Skubal and seek control beyond 2026 as Gerrit Gausman, Kevin Bieber and Max Scherzer become free agents.
The Chicago Cubs, after acquiring David Peterson, need a starter because six pitchers are injured.
The Cubs view 30-year-old Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara—on a five-year $56 million contract with a $21 million 2027 option—as a realistic target.

Summary

Tigers Trade Skubal

The Tigers have a 60% chance of trading Tarik Skubal, per MLB insider Mark Feinsand, after the next four to five weeks.
Detroit’s asking price includes under-control pitchers and top prospects George Lombard, the No. 1 overall pick, and reliever Carlos Lagrange.
Skubal, under contract through 2026 and represented by Scott Boras, benefits Detroit’s 34-46 record and positive run differential, which boost trade leverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 general manager Brian Cashman added veteran left-hander David Wells, who threw a perfect game on May 17, helping New York finish with 114 wins. The 1998 squad set a template for deadline trades that today sees the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers scrambling for starters such as Tarik Skubal.

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Cubs Seek Starter

Teams in United States and Canada are chasing starters before the August 3 trade deadline.
Blue Jays could add a pitcher such as Tarik Skubal and seek control beyond 2026 as Gerrit Gausman, Kevin Bieber and Max Scherzer become free agents.
The Chicago Cubs, after acquiring David Peterson, need a starter because six pitchers are injured.
The Cubs view 30-year-old Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara—on a five-year $56 million contract with a $21 million 2027 option—as a realistic target.

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