With three members of their projected 2026 starting rotation set to begin the year on the injury shelf after elbow surgeries, the New York Yankees are still in the hunt for starting pitching. Of course, there is one starting pitcher on MLB’s trade market that sits head and shoulders above the rest, and Yankees backers would have no objection to bringing him into the fold: Cy Young winner and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
It appears increasingly unlikely–maybe even impossible–that the Tigers will work out a long-term deal with Skubal, an impending free agent. In arbitration to settle his upcoming salary for this year, the sides were wildly far apart, with Skubal filing for $32 million and the Tigers filing for $19 million. If they’re that far apart on one year of arbitration, imagine how far impart they are on an eight-year contract.
Thus, the chatter about Skubal being traded has continued, though the Tigers may not be entirely serious about making a deal. Teams are increasingly reluctant to pony up packages built around four prospects just to bring in a player for one season before free agency–and because Skubal is represented by Scott Boras, there’s no chance at an extension.
The Yankees learned that lesson with the one-and-done trade for Juan Soto. They appear unwilling to go down that road again.
Yankees Find Tarik Skubal Asking Price ‘Too High for Them’
And the Yankees, like anyone else who has nosed around the Skubal situation, have found the Tigers’ price untenable. That point was hammered home by New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, during a Bleacher Report livestream.
“As far the asking price on a trade, it is high. And understandably so—he is a terrific, terrific pitcher,” Heyman said. “It should be very, very high, there’s no question about that. My impression, my understanding from the Yankees and the Mets is it was too high for them. … The Yankees haven’t added anyone yet, they’re looking at starting pitching.
A healthy Yankees rotation, with Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt on the mound, would be very good. But there are concerns in the Bronx that not all three will return at 100%, and the Yankees could need more depth than can be provided by the one rotation addition they made, trading for Ryan Weathers.
GettyNew York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler
Tarik Skubal a Projected $300 Million Pitcher
A Yankees trade for Skubal would blow up that dynamic, and give the Yankees a top-heavy, 1-2 punch in Skubal and Max Fried, with Cole coming back as potentially the best No. 3 in baseball. That is imposing, especially in the playoffs.
But to get it done, the Yankees would have to gut a relatively thin top tier of prospects, including (as Heyman mentioned) expected starter Cam Schlittler and shortstop George Lombard (No. 32 on MLB’s list of top 100 prospects). They don’t want to do that just to get to next winter and have to pay Skubal the projected eight-year, $300 million contract he may land.
Yankees Would Have to Give Up Too Much
So the price on Tarik Skubal remains too high, for the Yankees and for the other 28 teams who might have interest.
Said Heyman: “Look, the Yankees are not going to give up Schlittler, Lombard, more—they’re not going to do that. I mean, Detroit is not really naming its exact prices, it’s not really a two-way discussion at this point. Teams are making offers, but I don’t think they’re probably coming close at this point.
“In terms of the trade prices, it’s very high. I am not blaming Detroit, this is the best pitcher in the game. I get it. From my understanding, the Yankees, the Mets and one other team I checked in on, they don’t see how it’s gonna happen based on what they gauge as the asking price.”
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