Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week in the SB Nation Reacts survey, I asked you how many trades you thought Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer would make before the MLB Trade Deadline happens. Incidentally, the official deadline is 5 p.m. CT Monday, Aug. 3, though if history is a guide, we’ll probably hear of some trades reported for an hour or two after that.
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Here are the survey results:
This seems pretty reasonable. The Cubs need a starting pitcher — obviously — and I’m nearly 100 percent certain that Hoyer will trade for someone fitting that description. Earlier this week I posted a number of articles about potential starting pitcher trade targets for Hoyer.
Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal, of course, is the No. 1 guy on the trading block. Could the Cubs be in the Skubal market? Patrick Mooney of The Athletic says … maybe:
Hoyer has a close, longstanding relationship with his Detroit counterpart, Scott Harris, who earned a 2016 World Series ring while launching his career at Wrigley Field, and now runs the Tigers with a similarly systematic approach.
Another connection worth noting: Skubal has deep roots in Arizona, which would make spring training at the Cubs’ Mesa complex an appealing and convenient feature once he weighs his options as a free agent. Acquiring Skubal, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, would give the Cubs a head start on that recruiting presentation, though it would likely require a financial commitment to a pitcher that is unprecedented in franchise history.
So, who knows? The package the Cubs would have to send to the Tigers is probably a high cost, even for a two-month rental.
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Feel free to discuss that possibility, plus any others, in this thread throughout the weekend.
The Cubs might also be in the market for a reliever, though they do have multiple good relievers likely to return to the bullpen sometime in August. Maybe that would be as good as trading for someone.
Here’s the result of the national survey question asked of SB Nation Reacts members:
In my view this is just silly. The Tigers are absolutely, positively going to trade Skubal. I’m certain of it. Now, could I be wrong? Sure. but if they don’t, then he walks with no compensation other than a draft pick. Skubal isn’t returning to Detroit as a free agent, so the Tigers should be motivated to get something for him while they can.
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It’ll all be known in less than 72 hours!
This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.
