Tarik Skubal’s free-agent market is shaping up with the Yankees sitting in a very specific lane: not the favorite, but not out of the picture either.
That’s the read from ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, who said MLB insiders do not view New York as a top-tier destination for Skubal this offseason. Even so, the Yankees were described as a possible “fallback” if the pitcher’s preferred landing spots move in a different direction.
“For those who thought the Dodgers wouldn't break the bank, and the Mets would only offer AAV-record deals, the Yankees were a common fallback,” McDaniel shared.
McDaniel’s polling of league insiders painted a market with a few clear heavy hitters at the top. The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams seen as the most serious possibilities, while the Yankees are viewed more as the next option down the line.
Skubal is expected to push for a massive deal, but the market may not line up cleanly for him. The Mets could lean toward a shorter contract with a huge annual value, and the Dodgers have some uncertainty tied to their ownership group. That leaves New York in play if the front-runners don’t materialize the way some expect.
A return to the Detroit Tigers is also on the table, though McDaniel noted there could be “burnt bridges” between Skubal and the Tigers’ front office. That only adds to the sense that the Yankees could emerge as a practical alternative if the bidding and the fit break a certain way.
The Yankees are not alone in the chase. McDaniel pointed to other clubs that could get involved, including the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and several other teams in need of starting pitching.
Still, among the teams mentioned, the Yankees came away with a clear label: a legitimate fallback option in the Skubal sweepstakes. It may not be the first stop on his list, but the path to New York is very much open this offseason.
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