Yankees and Dodgers face same problem in a potential Tarik Skubal trade

Yankees and Dodgers face same problem in a potential Tarik Skubal trade originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With the 2026 MLB trade deadline getting closer, with under a month and a half to go now, it should come as little surprise that trade rumors and talks are beginning to pick up.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are once again two teams frequently linked to all of the top options, including Detroit Tigers back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

But, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed that the Yankees and Dodgers have the same problem for a potential Skubal trade, which makes a deal very unlikely. Those problems are the trade cost and the fit in the rotation for the superstar lefty.

Yankees, Dodgers have same problem with Tarik Skubal trade

“The Dodgers certainly have the prospects to land Skubal, but hate overpaying at the deadline. Besides, their pitching staff might be in excellent shape…” Rosnethal writes. “… The Yankees, once Max Fried is back, might be in a position of similar depth with their pitching.”

The Yankees and Dodgers might also want to prospect hug, but if the right deal presents itself, it might be worth a slight overpay if it means landing someone like Skubal.

But, both teams have the same problem: their current pitching staff’s don’t really have room for Skubal without hurting another pitcher.

A fully healthy Dodgers rotation would have Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan, and Eric Lauer at their disposal. That’s a very deep and very strong rotation.

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A fully healthy Yankees rotation would have Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, Carlos Rodon, Ryan Weathers, Will Warren, and Clarke Schmidt in a strong and deep rotation.

Sure, both teams could benefit from adding someone as good as Skubal. But adding starting pitching is not a high priority for either team.

Especially in the Yankees’ case, adding bullpen help, a new catcher, third baseman, or shortstop is much more of a need than another starting pitcher.

The Yankees and Dodgers have the same problem with a potential Skubal trade, as neither team has an easy path to fitting Skubal in the rotation, especially considering the huge cost it’d take to add him in a deal with the Tigers this summer.

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