What happened: ESPN's David Schoenfield ranked the Chicago Cubs as the best fit for free agent Tarik Skubal in its 2026-27 offseason matchups, with the St. Louis Cardinals second. Schoenfield noted St. Louis's estimated 2027 payroll sits at about $66 million.

Why it matters: Spotrac has projected a seven-year, $276 million deal for Skubal, roughly $40 million a season, which would lift St. Louis to about $106 million. Chaim Bloom's end-of-season comments tempered expectations of contending in 2027, and the Dodgers, Yankees and other big-market clubs are expected to bid.

What to watch: Skubal's market takes shape as free agency opens, with the Cubs, Dodgers and Yankees among the clubs in the mix.