Yankees Rumors: Tarik Skubal trade buzz gaining steam as possible offer gets serious

Though we mentioned a Tarik Skubal trade could solve a major issue for the Yankees, we were never really sure it was on the table. Brian Cashman doesn't typically chase such high-profile candidates, but it could be different this year.

The Aaron Boone era is coming to a close. There's only so much of Aaron Judge's and Gerrit Cole's primes remaining. The Yankees told us that the 2025 roster was the one they believed in most before it all came crashing down.

Well, they ran it back for 2026 and the results so far have been as good as they could possibly be. So why wouldn't the Bombers push their chips to the middle of the table in a weak American League and do all that they can to combat the Dodgers? LA is looking to become the first team to three-peat since the 1998-2000 Yankees.

According to the latest buzz, the Tigers are scouting the Yankees' farm system and have their eye on top prospects George Lombard Jr. and Carlos Lagrange. If New York is willing to part with those guys, then they might have the strongest package to offer when you consider MLB-readiness and upside.

Projecting Yankees starting rotation if they trade for Tarik Skubal

The Tigers are 31-44 and reports suggest it's becoming more likely Skubal is moved before the Aug. 3 deadline. But you didn't need an MLB insider to tell you that. The left-hander is a free agent at the end of the year and more than likely will not be re-signing with Detroit given how much money he's expected to command.

In that case, the Tigers need to get as much value for him as possible. And the Yankees, if they want to win the World Series, cannot let him go to the Dodgers. It just can't happen. If Cashman does make a move here, this would make the rotation nearly unstoppable and improve a tired bullpen.

Starting Rotation

• Tarik Skubal
• Cam Schlittler
• Gerrit Cole
• Max Fried
• Carlos Rodón

Bullpen

• David Bednar
• Fernando Cruz
• Brent Headrick
• Tim Hill
• Will Warren
• Ryan Weathers
• (Trade Acquisition) / Camilo Doval
• (Trade Acquisition)

By this point in the season, there's no way Jake Bird, Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn will be here. It's looking less and less like Doval will still be in the mix, too, since he cannot be relied upon in any situation above low-leverage. The Yankees still at least need one bullpen acquisition to address this unit even if they were to add someone like Skubal into the fold.

It's not out of the realm of possibility the Tigers rebound. The AL Central is fairly weak and we just saw Detroit go on an historic run in 2024 to save their season. We wouldn't say it's likely, though. That's why the Yankees need to be prepared. And if they feel like they can truly win it all in 2026, then they need to mortgage part of the future to make it happen.

Whether you agree the team should go after Skubal or not, there's no doubt his presence would give the Yankees a potential matchup edge against the Dodgers in the Fall Classic.

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