Dodgers' Tarik Skubal trade puts nail in coffin for Aaron Judge's prime with Yankees

For everybody out there overly concerned about the Yankees maximizing their window while Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole are in their primes, there's no need to worry anymore. The game is over. The Los Angeles Dodgers ended it. Again.

Late Saturday night, the Dodgers traded for Tigers' two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in exchange for what's been universally viewed as an underwhelming package. Detroit received outfielder Zyhir Hope (Dodgers' No. 5 prospect), pitcher River Ryan (No. 7 prospect) and pitcher Brady Smith (No. 17 prospect).

The Yankees were rumored to be in the mix for Skubal. Everybody knew if the Dodgers acquired the left-hander it was essentially guaranteeing their three-peat. Who is going to beat them? We are earnestly asking.

If Brian Cashman and Co. were indeed considering the move, then can somebody explain why they couldn't pull off a better prospect package and why they would let Skubal waltz to the two-time defending champions like this?

To think less than two years ago, all the Yankees needed to do was let Gerrit Cole keep pitching in Game 1, call on Tim Hill over Nestor Cortes, and not melt down in Game 5. How different life would have been ...

Could Yankees have beaten Dodgers' trade package for Tarik Skubal?

Let us acknowledge the elephant in the room here. The Yankees do not need starting pitching. They arguably have the best starting staff (and overall staff) in the game. But they knew the perils of Skubal going to the Dodgers, especially when rumors surfaced that LA was the favorite. They needed to do everything in their power to cut the line and prevent the Dodgers from becoming a hegemon.

Instead, it appears they are continuing their pursuit of offense. Adley Rutschman is rumored to be a top target. Fans would surely be happy with that acquisition, but it'll feel a lot less impactful knowing what went down on Saturday night.

The Yankees' path through the AL might seem as easy as 2024 if they manage to upgrade the right areas at this year's deadline, but their chances at a World Series feel more and more futile. The Dodgers are now the runaway favorite. It isn't close. And even if they lose to the Brewers, the Yanks very much feel outmatched there. Hell, the Braves and the Cubs are better right now too.

The Dodgers used spare parts to acquire Skubal, much like their previous trade deadline dealings. While they certainly surrender value for star-studded talent, it never seems to be enough. And we don't know how the Tigers didn't learn that when they held the top trade asset with over 40 hours to go until the deadline.

But even worse ... how have the Yankees not caught on? Cashman has been watching these transactions from afar, fully aware of the Dodgers largely getting their way on both ends. He didn't take note and wait for the right moment to pounce?

Spoiler alert: the moment has passed. It was Skubal. This was the last possible overture the Yankees could have made to subtract from the Dodgers and improve their own fortunes with a juggernaut rotation to neutralize LA's offense (should they have met in the World Series).

Instead, we'll likely get a Dodgers three-peat and an extended lockout that eats into the 2027 season. Skubal's arrival in LA almost assures both of those outcomes. As for the Yankees? Better luck in 2028, when you're likely still not in a prime position with Judge in his age-36 season and Cole in his age-37 season. That's simply what you get for repeated half-measures at almost every trade deadline during the Judge era.

Enjoy that $3 billion from Apollo Global Management, though. That's what really matters, right?

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