The New York Yankees' offense is missing some key bats right now, but their starting rotation is still one of the best in baseball.
Cam Schlittler, Max Fried and Gerrit Cole are an elite trio to have in a rotation. Carlos Rodón will return soon as well, but the Yankees may be interested in making the group even better. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Detroit Tigers are "super close" to making Tarik Skubal available, and MLB insider Jim Bowden has been told the Yankees would pursue him.
"If the Tigers were to trade Tarik Skubal, (the Yankees) will play there,” Bowden said on the Foul Territory Network.
A rotation featuring Skubal, Schlittler, Fried and Cole would be a nightmare for any team in a postseason series. Pair that with a healthy offense that has Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton, and the Yankees are favorites in the American League.
Skubal is going to be the most sought-after player at this year's deadline if the Tigers decide to move him. The belief around the league is that even if the Tigers trade him, they will want a big-league starter along with prospects so that they can continue to compete this year.
Skubal is a rental, so pretty much any contender willing to pay the return price can go after him. However, some will actually have a chance to keep him around in free agency. The Yankees are one of those teams, and acquiring him would give them an inside track.