In the unlikely event the Detroit Tigers trade ace Tarik Skubal, the New York Yankees are among the potential suitors to land him ahead of the deadline.
If that hypothetical scenario were to take place, though, it would come at an extremely high cost.
Acquiring a Cy Young favorite is expected to be an expensive endeavor for any time, but doing so would likely deplete the Yankees farm system of its top talent.
In ranking the top landing spots for Skubal at the deadline, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report had the Yankees at No. 3 behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.
His projected trade for Skubal would be a massive one for both sides. The Yankees would get Skubal in exchange for outfielder Jasson Dominguez (No. 1 prospect), outfielder Spencer Jones (No. 2 prospect) and catcher/first baseman Ben Rice (No. 5 prospect).
Adding to the starting rotation isn't the biggest need for the Yankees at the trade deadline, but it is a position group that could use some infusion of talent.
The focus for the Yankees is likely trading for infielders at second and third base, bullpen arms and potentially upgrading the left field spot with Alex Verdugo struggling in a walk year.
Skubal would give the Yankees an incredible 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation with Gerrit Cole, and he comes with two more years of team control.
A deal for Skubal is unlikely to happen, and the Yankees probably aren't in the position to make that trade with their current farm system.
