Yankees’ perfect trade offer for Tigers’ Tarik Skubal

Quite simply, the New York Yankees cannot afford to let the Dodgers get Tarik Skubal. And the Yankees could use starting rotation help. So here is the perfect trade offer for the Tigers’ star.

Currently on IR because of an elbow procedure, Skubal isn’t seen as a big risk. He’s made terrific progress after the procedure to remove a single loose body, according to Fox Sports.

“The more I can sneak in there and get out of there without leaving a trace, the better off this guy would be,” Dr. Neal ElAttrache said he thought. “I was waiting for this particular kind of case, because I knew it would be really, really useful and helpful to be able to decrease the downtime.”

“Just 12 days after Skubal’s procedure — or the “Skubal scope,” as it has been referred to — the Tigers ace was already throwing a full, symptom-free bullpen session at Comerica Park,” Rowan Kavner wrote. “It was the second time he had thrown off a mound since the innovative procedure.”

A veteran of seven years, Skubal has established himself as the game’s premier starter. He has a record of 34-12 over the last three seasons with 514 strikeouts in 430.1 innings and has won two straight Cy Young awards.

Yankees must make a preemptive strike on Dodgers

Clearly, the Dodgers are the team everybody is chasing. Records don’t matter. The Dodgers will be there in the postseason. And one way to keep the Dodgers from building an unbeatable postseason machine is to prevent them from acquiring Skubal.

The good news is the Yankees have enough farm-system capital to make a big equal to, or in the ballpark, of the Dodgers. And then the Tigers simply need to do things in the best interests of baseball.

To make a move on Skubal, the Yankees would need to start with their top prospect. That means giving up George Lombard Jr., who profiles as a 2027 arrival in the big leagues, according to MLB.com. He’s a work in progress, but has a high ceiling.

“Despite an efficient right-handed swing and a patient approach, Lombard has persistent issues making contact against in-zone fastballs,” MLB.com wrote. “He has the bat speed and growing strength to produce more power than most shortstops, and he started driving balls in the air more than ever in 2025.

“Lombard developed a high baseball IQ growing up around the game. And he plays even quicker than his solid speed on the bases and in the field. He’s a potential 25-25 guy with fluid actions, range to both sides, quick hands, and solid arm strength at shortstop. A reliable defender who committed just seven errors in 111 starts there last season, he also played well in brief action at second and third base.”

What MLB team wouldn’t want that guy in the top third of the order while also solidifying the infield defense?

Who must the Yankees trade to the Tigers?

The Yankees might be able to get away with sending only two prospects to the Tigers. But that’s only true if they include Carlos Lagrange. The right-hander a mound beast, who should be a star down the road. Lagrange ranks No. 4 on the Yankees’ prospect list, according to MLB.com.

“He bounced back in a big way last year, finishing third in the Minors in strikeouts (168 in 120 innings) and K percentage (33 percent) while reaching Double-A,” MLB.com wrote. “Lagrange stands out most with a fastball that parks at 97-99 mph and peaks at 103 with carry and armside run.

“But he’s also capable of missing bats with three secondary pitches that can be devastating at times. He relies heavily on a sweeping mid-80s slider, though his upper-80s cutter and low-90s changeup with depth and fade actually were more effective in 2025.”

The final polishing touch for Lagrange is command. And that could come as soon as this year.

“Lagrange improved his fastball command as well as his overall control last season, though his walk rate jumped from 7 percent in High-A to 15 percent in Double-A,” MLB.com wrote. “He’s 6-foot-7 but doesn’t create notable extension in his upright delivery, and he has such a quick arm and long limbs that he doesn’t always keep them in sync. He has the stuff to pitch in the front of a rotation if he can continue to add polish.”

Why do the Yankees need trade urgency?

There have only been four three-peats in Major League Baseball history. The Yankees did it three times (1936-39, 1949-53, and 1998-2000). The only other franchise with a three-peat is the Oakland Athletics, from 1972-74.

Much like the Miami Dolphins did in 1985, beating the Chicago Bears late in the regular season and preserving their boast as the only perfect season in NFL history, the Yankees need to be the team that thwarts the Dodgers’ historical bid. And to do that, the Yankees need to be loaded with starting pitching.

Adding Skubal is the right ingredient to give them a leg up for a potential postseason showdown.