Brian Cashman finally got his guy in Cody Bellinger-but let’s be real: the move came late, and it arrived in the middle of an offseason that’s felt more like a slow burn than a Bronx firestorm. Bellinger’s return is a win, no doubt, but it doesn’t suddenly launch the Yankees back into the upper echelon of MLB’s power brokers. Not when the Mets are making bold moves of their own and the Dodgers continue to operate like a juggernaut.
Case in point: just as Yankees fans were catching their breath after the Bellinger news, the Mets swooped in and traded for Freddy Peralta, immediately hijacking the headlines and reminding everyone who’s currently driving the New York baseball conversation.
But here’s the thing-Cashman still has a chance to flip the script. There’s one move out there that could not only reestablish the Yankees as legitimate title contenders but also send a message to the rest of the league.
That move? Swinging a deal for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
Why the Yankees Should Be All-In on Skubal
The buzz around Skubal hasn’t died down, and for good reason. The Tigers haven’t shut the door on moving him, and ESPN’s Buster Olney recently highlighted just how real the possibility is.
According to Olney, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris hasn’t labeled anyone untouchable-and that includes Skubal. That’s not nothing.
In fact, it might be the clearest sign yet that Detroit is at least listening.
What’s fueling the speculation? A significant arbitration gap between Skubal and the Tigers has stirred the pot, and Olney added that the left-hander is unlikely to return after next season. If that’s the case, Detroit would be wise to explore a trade now-when Skubal’s value is sky-high-and aim for a haul of elite prospects.
So if you’re Cashman, why not pick up the phone and see how far your farm system can take you?
The Stakes: Judge’s Prime and the Yankees’ Window
This isn’t just about adding another arm. This is about maximizing the prime of Aaron Judge-a generational talent and the face of the franchise. The Yankees are in win-now mode, and while top prospects like George Lombard Jr. carry plenty of upside, the question has to be asked: are they going to help Judge win a title in the next two years?
That’s the calculus here. Yes, the Yankees have to be careful not to gut their major-league roster, and recent reports suggest Detroit’s asking price is steep.
Names like Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler have reportedly come up in early conversations. That’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the kind of price you pay when you’re going after a frontline starter with ace-level stuff.
What a Deal Could Look Like
If the Yankees are serious-and they should be-it’s going to take a blend of top-tier prospects and major-league-ready arms. In the recent Peralta talks, Will Warren and Luis Gil were floated as potential pieces. For Skubal, it might take Schlittler stepping into that mix, and that’s a trade you make if you’re serious about contending.
Skubal isn’t just a rental. If the Yankees pull off the trade and extend him, this isn’t a one-year move-it’s a long-term investment in a rotation that could anchor the team throughout Judge’s prime. Pairing Skubal with Gerrit Cole would give New York a devastating 1-2 punch, something the team has lacked in recent postseason runs.
The Bottom Line
This offseason has been more quiet than commanding for the Yankees, but there’s still time to change that. Bellinger was a necessary move, but it can’t be the final headline. If Cashman wants to put his stamp on this era-and give Judge the support he deserves-then going all-in on Tarik Skubal might be the bold swing this franchise needs.
Because if the Yankees stand pat, they risk letting another golden era slip by without a championship. But if they make the move? That’s the kind of deal that shifts the balance of power-not just in the AL East, but across all of baseball.