A decade ago, Scott Harris was a young director of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. He worked under Cubs President Theo Epstein, who believed that superstitions could bring success. ESPN’s Wright Thompson shared an interesting ritual: Whenever the Cubs needed offense, Theo would make Harris eat carbs, like plain bread. In one memorable instance, Harris consumed more than half a chocolate cake while the Cubs, previously hit-less against the White Sox, managed to snag a win.
Harris has come a long way since those days. He earned a championship ring with the Cubs and then became the general manager of the San Francisco Giants. Later, he took on the role of president of the Detroit Tigers. Now, he might influence the Cubs’ chances to return to the World Series.
Harris employs pitcher Tarik Skubal, one of the top pitchers worldwide, and rumor has it that he’s considering offers before the imminent MLB trade deadline. Among the interested teams is the Cubs, led by Jed Hoyer, Epstein’s successor. Fans might notice a gleam in Hoyer’s eye during the upcoming Cubs versus Yankees match; he could be weighing this substantial opportunity.
Harris and Hoyer, old friends, compete for the imaginary Theo Cup every year, a trophy symbolizing the Cubs-Tigers series. Yet, the Cubs assembling an attractive offer for Skubal is challenging. History hints they might aim for a less stellar starter while keeping valuable prospects due to high trade costs.
Tigers ace Tarik Skubal faced the Orioles on July 29, 2026. The scenario where Harris might propose a non-negotiable list with a chocolate cake and a note saying, “Just start eating,” holds a humorous twist. Alternatively, Skubal could join rivals like the Milwaukee Brewers, forming a solid duo with Jacob Misiorowski.
The idea of Skubal joining the Cubs feels fanciful. Hoyer’s transactions favor mid-tier starters over elite ones. So far, Jameson Taillon, Marcus Stroman, and Shota Imanaga are few he offered multi-year deals to. With Scott Boras as Skubal’s agent, free agency looms, implying Skubal might be a short-term acquisition needing several players.
Other teams, such as the well-funded, prospect-rich Los Angeles Dodgers, are competitors in the Skubal sweepstakes. To outbid rivals, Cubs might need to part ways with rehabbing starter Ben Brown and top prospects like Josiah Hartshorn, echoing the costly move for Aroldis Chapman during the 2016 deadline.
A surreal image appears: Skubal pitching at Wrigley Field against the Dodgers. The essential question remains: who will he play for?
Recently, the Cubs celebrated the 2016 champions at Wrigley Field. Although Harris couldn’t attend, Tigers special assistant Kyle Hendricks was present. Tom Ricketts, Cubs Chairman, opened Champions Gate, hinting at potential future successes.
For the current Cubs team, hope reigns. They’ve overcome injuries and slumps to position themselves for a Wild Card spot in 2026. Standout Pete Crow-Armstrong, a pitching peak from Boyd and Imanaga, and gold-standard defense boosts their prospects. Skubal’s addition could spark a thrilling long-run in October, recalling the fervor of 2015 and 2016.
The recent Cubs reunion podcasts hosted by Anthony Rizzo and David Ross provide bittersweet reminders of past highs. After a tight victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, the Cubs start a vital homestand against the Yankees and Dodgers. The anticipation is heightened by Skubal’s potential arrival, promising an electrifying atmosphere at Wrigley Field.
Epstein once remarked, every season holds significance. Cubs fans now face pivotal moments, urging their leaders towards success. As with the cake-eating tradition, nothing should be dismissed as merely empty calories.