The New York Yankees could find themselves in a bidding war for Tarik Skubal if the trade deadline heats up the way some expect. The question is whether Hal Steinbrenner’s willing to go all-in when the big spenders come calling.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports sees the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays as top landing spots if Detroit decides to move the left-hander.
And that’s where things get interesting for New York.
Watching Skubal land in Toronto would be pretty much a nightmare scenario. The Blue Jays adding that kind of ace to their rotation while the Yankees miss out? That’s the stuff that haunts front offices.
“Do I think it’s likely the Tigers stumble so badly the first four months of the season that they seriously consider trading Skubal at the deadline? No, I don’t. Is it possible? Absolutely. The Tigers had a rough finish to 2025, particularly on offense, and that’s not something Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander will fix.”
Axisa makes a solid point about Detroit’s situation. They’ve added some veteran arms, but the offense remains a question mark. If those bats don’t come around and the Tigers fall out of contention, Skubal becomes the most valuable trade chip on the market.
Even as a rental with a hefty salary – he’d still be owed around $10 million at the deadline – teams would line up for his services. We’re talking about a Cy Young winner who can single-handedly shift a playoff race.
Here’s the thing: Detroit trading Skubal might seem unlikely right now, but baseball logic has a way of taking over. If they’re struggling come July and facing the reality of losing him for nothing in free agency, keeping him doesn’t make much sense.
For the Yankees, it’s a no-brainer if they’re positioned for a championship run. Even knowing they might lose him after October, adding that caliber of pitcher could be the difference between another early exit and a deep playoff push.
The Yankees have shown they’re willing to spend when it matters. The question is whether they’ll have the prospect capital to outbid everyone else when the time comes.
