THE MESSAGE: LEVERAGE LIES IN THE MOTOR CITY
DETROIT, MI—If the Yankees entered the Winter Meetings hoping for a “convenient” path to acquiring the reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, the Detroit Tigers just delivered a blunt reality check. As of December 19, 2025, the “Tarik Skubal conversation” has taken a sharp turn away from pinstriped dreams and toward a grueling, high-stakes standoff.
The message from Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris landed like a “gut punch” in the Bronx: Detroit has no intention of moving Skubal unless they are “completely blown away” by an offer that would effectively dismantle the Yankees’ farm system.
THE “UNSETTLING” REALITY FOR THE BRONX
The Yankees find themselves in a fragile position. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both sidelined with elbow surgeries to start the 2026 season, the urgency to land an ace has never been higher. Yet, the Tigers have stripped away the “hope and hype” with a three-fold stance:
- The 10% Chance: Leading MLB insiders, including Jeff Passan, now put the odds of a Skubal trade at a meager 10%. Detroit believes they can contend in 2026 and views Skubal as the “centerpiece” of that vision.
- The “Gobsmacking” Price: Reports indicate that any trade would start with Cam Schlittler, George Lombard Jr., and Spencer Jones—a package that would strip the Yankees of their future to secure one guaranteed year of Skubal before he hits free agency in 2027.
- The “Lone Wolf” Stance: Despite contract extension talks going nowhere, Skubal has shown no public desire to leave. In a viral moment last month, he even rejected a Yankees hat offered by a fan for an autograph, delivering a blunt “No” that resonated across social media as a sign of his loyalty to Detroit.
BY THE NUMBERS: THE SKUBAL PRICE TAG
| The Skubal Profile | The Tigers’ Leverage | The Yankees’ Risk |
| Performance | Back-to-Back Cy Young Awards | The best lefty since prime Kershaw. |
| Contract | 1 Year / $22.5M Remaining | A “rental” that costs a king’s ransom. |
| Future Value | Projected $400M+ Agent: Boras | Yankees likely can’t afford a 3rd $300M+ starter. |
| The Alternative | Michael King / Sandy Alcantara | Much cheaper “Tier 2” options for Cashman. |
A TURNING POINT OR A HESITATION?
The Yankees are now caught between urgency and restraint. If they pay the “Tigers’ Tax,” they risk a “reckless move” that haunts them for years if Skubal walks in free agency. If they hesitate, they risk wasting a prime year of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto with a rotation full of question marks.
“Detroit isn’t just holding the leverage; they’re holding the mirror,” one rival executive noted. “They’re asking Brian Cashman exactly how much he’s willing to sacrifice for a championship. Right now, the answer from the Bronx is a stunned silence.”
