New MLB Rumors on Tarik Skubal Trade Buzz, Yankees' Hopes of Landing Tigers Star Ahead of Deadline

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal could be on the move prior to the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, but the New York Yankees may not be his most likely landing spot.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, a person connected to the Yankees "doubts" that they will be the team to land Skubal.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicted that Skubal will indeed be traded, and if he is, Nightengale noted that rival executives view the Atlanta Braves as the team most likely to acquire him.

When healthy, the 29-year-old Skubal is among the best pitchers in baseball, as he won the American League Cy Young Award in both 2024 and 2025, as well as the AL's pitching Triple Crown in 2024.

Coming off a 2025 season that saw him go 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 241 strikeouts over 195.1 innings, Skubal was in line for a massive new contract, but he and the Tigers have been unable to come to terms.

On top of that, the Tigers are just 37-49 on the season, making them potential sellers as the deadline approaches.

Losing a player of Skubal's caliber for nothing in free agency would be a major blow to the organization, which is undoubtedly why the lefty's name has been so prominent in trade rumors.

Because of surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, Skubal was on the injured list for just over one month before returning to action last month.

All told, Skubal has made 11 starts this season, going 4-4 with a 3.15 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 75 strikeouts over 65.2 innings.

On Tuesday, Skubal shut down the Yankees, allowing just one hit and one earned run, while striking out nine in six innings.

The Yankees have been in decline recently, six games in a row and nine of their past 11, but they are still in playoff position at 48-37 and trail the Tampa Bay Rays by just 2.5 games for first place in the AL East and the best record in the AL.

When everybody is healthy, starting pitching is a strength for the Yankees, as they boast Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Clarke Schmidt.

Fried and Schmidt are currently on the IL, but both are expected back this season, giving the Yanks myriad options when it comes to starters.

Because of that, it could be safe to assume that New York would be less inclined to give up a huge haul for a starting pitcher, even if they are an elite one like Skubal.

The Yankees do figure to be buyers come deadline time, but given that they rank 24th in MLB in team batting average at .237 and have struck out the seventh-most times, perhaps adding to the lineup would be more sensible.

Superstar outfielder Aaron Judge should return from a stress fracture to his rib at some point this season, but even if he does, the Yanks could still stand to upgrade at catcher or third base.

At least one bullpen addition also seems likely for a Yanks team that often receives mixed-bag performances from key relievers such as David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Tim Hill and Jake Bird.