The New York Yankees might have felt some relief after a wild-card round win against the Boston Red Sox gave them a shot at returning to the World Series this year.
But after falling short against the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series, any feelings of relief will be turning to pressure to reset the roster and refocus on championship aspirations. And fans are surely hoping that will mean a blockbuster trade with an American League rival.
The Detroit Tigers also fell short in the American League Division Series this season and, during a season end press conference, team president Scott Harris was asked if they might trade reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal this winter as he heads into his final year of arbitration eligibility.
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 18: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Come… |
“I can’t comment on players being traded,” Harris responded, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “He’s an incredible pitcher. We’re lucky to have him. That’s all I can say on that.”
Harris refused to speculate on a potential trade, but the update made it clear that the Tigers would have to be blown away by a package for Skubal if they would consider moving him at all. And with that in mind, FanSided’s Christopher Kline proposed a four-player trade that would send the Yankees’ George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, Bryce Cunningham and Henry Lalane to the Tigers in exchange for Skubal.
“The Yankees would need to empty the entire clip for Tarik Skubal, even on an expiring contract, but c’mon,” Kline wrote. “New York would have a chance to go into October with Skubal, Gerrit Cole and Max Fried headlining the rotation. That is an impossible gauntlet for most opponents, especially if Cole can return to pre-injury form.”
With the Tigers remaining tight-lipped on a potential trade for their ace, at least publicly, the Yankees would have to make a godfather offer to pry the superstar ace from their roster. But if they’re willing to mortgage their farm system to this extent, perhaps they could enter next season with the best pitching staff in baseball.
