Upgrading their starting pitching might not be the top priority right now. But the New York Yankees should keep their eyes on the situation brewing with the Detroit Tigers, as one of the game’s best might be on the market.
A recent report by Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggests that reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal may not sign an extension with Detroit, potentially making him available in trade discussions. Skubal, a two-time All Star, was said by Heyman in an earlier report to be seeking as much as $250 million more than what the Tigers are offering, and his follow-up suggests that the two parties are no noticably closer.
Heyman’s report coheres with one from Tigers insider Cody Stavenhegen, whose own words say that an extension for Skubal “probably isn’t happening”. It would appear, then, that one of the game’s best arms is on the market. And although Heyman and Stavenhegen both cited the cross-town New York Mets as being the prime suitors for Skubal, why would the Yankees not be involved as well?
Skubal As Good As They Come
Skubal is entering the final year of his contract before free agency. And with the gap in talks as insurmountable as it sounds, some league executives believe the Tigers may prefer dealing him now rather than risk losing him for nothing.
The case for putting together a monster offer for Skubal is compelling. In 2025, he posted a 13-6 record, 2.21 ERA, and 241 strikeouts, while setting a career high in innings pitched at 195.1 His dominant 2024 campaign saw him earn the AL Cy Young award, pitching to a 2.39 ERA and recording 18 wins, earning unanimous support in the voting.
From the Yankees’ perspective, Skubal would fit as a rotation anchor in a way that few available arms could. With the expected return to health of Gerritt Cole and the meteoric rise to the top of Cam Schlittler, the Yankees could sport a dominant top three in their rotation, even before getting to the completely rejuvenates Carlos Rodon and the plenty-decent Luis Gil.
Rumors of Yankee Skubal Interest are not new, either. Earlier trade-buzz coverage has already linked him to the Yankees as a serious target. These are the Yankees – if the game’s best are available, they should be expected to be in the mix.
Who Blinks First If Yankees Start Staring?
The timing of the reports might also be beneficial. Because Skubal is now known to be unlikely to extend, the Tigers will lose some leverage in the market. Interested parties will still have to outbid each other, but knowing (or at least, having good reason to assume) that taking him off the table is not a feasible option for the Tigers means it will be them operating with the twitchy fingers. Waiting too long risks injury or market softening, both of which could drive down the return.
Of course, no trade is imminent. And because they are the ones with the defending Cy Young winner, the Tigers still have leverage. They could, and should, extract maximum return before Skubal departs, even if reports that suggest their willingness to trade is minimal are true.
For the Yankees, though, who are perpetually in pursuit of pitching upgrades, they could be primed to make a serious call if Detroit opens the door. With extension talks reportedly dead and his value as a top-tier starter undeniable, Skubal may be the most tantalizing trade asset available in the whole of baseball this winter. And for the Yankees, the window to chase that kind of difference-maker may be open, if they are willing to pay the price. Spencer Jones, thank you for the breakout campaign, but keep the bags packed.
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