New York Yankees Had “No Chance” Meeting the Detroit Tigers’ Asking Price For Tarik Skubal
The New York Yankees are always involved in the rumor mill when it comes to acquiring top talent every offseason, and were linked to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The Tigers aren’t going to pay him the historic contract he deserves, so trade rumors surrounding the south paw were at an all-time high.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that the Yankees and Tigers recently discussed two-time Cy Young winner Skubal, but New York balked at the asking price. Detroit reportedly asked for a minimum package of 1B Ben Rice, RHP Cam Schlittler, and SS George Lombard Jr. As we now know, the Yankees clearly failed to meet their asking price.
Yankees Out On Skubal
It was never going to happen, but the Yankees are now out on Skubal. The fact that those three players were classified as the “minimum package” tells you all you need to know. It wouldn’t be smart for the Yankees to give up their entire young core that will make a huge impact for one year of Skubal. It would set them back rather than get them closer to winning a World Series.
The smart move would be to go all out and offer him the contract he deserves next offseason, and bring him in with money rather than drain your prospect pool. Rice is hitting baseballs harder than guys like Aaron Judge and is poised for a breakout season in 2026. As for Schlittler, there is no need for an explanation. We all saw his dominating performance against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the Wild Card, and he is the Yankees’ best right-handed pitcher on the roster.
Lombard is the best prospect in the Yankees’ farm system, and they’ve already deemed him to be untouchable. He has an elite-level glove on the left side of the infield and could take a huge step this year if the bat can come to life. He struggled at Double-A last year, but was better in the second half. With Spring Training rapidly approaching, he’ll be one of the big storylines.
Skubal Situation Is Odd
The Skubal situation will be discussed throughout the season. While a trade doesn’t appear imminent at the moment, I expect him to be moved at the Trade Deadline. While many will complain that it’s bad for baseball, the Tigers aren’t going to let him walk for nothing, and some team will be willing to pay the high price if it means winning a championship.
The Tigers can receive multiple players that can reshape their franchise in return for Skubal, who they know will not be in Detroit for the rest of his career. The Los Angeles Dodgers, to no one’s surprise, remain the frontrunners for Skubal if he were to be traded, and are positioned to unload one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. Tigers fans better enjoy watching Skubal this season, as he’s the best pitcher the franchise has and will ever have play for them.
Are The Yankees Done?
After re-signing Cody Bellinger, it seems like more moves are coming for the Bronx Bombers. They have a surplus of outfielders with Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones being forced to the bench. Brian Cashman’s next move will most likely be via trade. Both of these players will fetch great talent in return, but with a robust market, it’s unclear who the Yankees may be targeting.
Even with Bellinger, this team is nowhere near good enough to win a World Series. The pitching staff still has a ton of flaws, and they cannot completely rely on Gerrit Cole, who’s now 35 years old, to be a true ace after coming off Tommy John surgery. Ryan Weathers was a great addition, but the starting five could become really thin if another injury occurs. The Yankees have been quiet for most of the offseason, but now need to start working with urgency.
