Yankees among 5 teams who will 'inquire' on trade for Tigers' Tarik Skubal

Yankees among 5 teams who will ‘inquire’ on trade for Tigers’ Tarik Skubal originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Yankees are one of the top teams in the American League but still trail the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. 

They’re expected to be aggressive at this year’s trade deadline, with catcher and bullpen as the most glaring positional needs. 

But to make a run to the World Series, general manager Brian Cashman should consider all options and upgrades to the roster. 

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are expected to be one of five teams that will inquire with the Detroit Tigers about two-time Cy Young Award winner and impending free agent Tarik Skubal. 

Yankees interested in Tarik Skubal as trade deadline nears

“The Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the clubs expected to inquire on Skubal, the reigning AL back-to-back Cy Young winner,” Rosenthal wrote Tuesday. 

New York’s rotation may be the strongest in the Majors, but adding a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber could increase their World Series odds dramatically. A top four of Skubal, Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon would be formidable. 

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Skubal has a 2.70 ERA with 3.0 bWAR in 15 starts this season, striking out 110 batters in 90 innings. There’s no doubt that he would be the best starter and/or player available at the deadline. 

“The Tigers are now seven games under .500, six games out in the AL Central and four games back in the AL wild-card race, with four teams ahead of them,” Rosenthal added. “Some clubs believe they might be willing to trade Skubal regardless of their position in the standings, as long as their asking price is met.” 

If Skubal is traded, the Yankees would likely prefer an NL club to acquire him. Facing the left-hander in a Rays uniform in the ALDS or ALCS could threaten their World Series hopes. 

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