Yankees Potential Trade Partner: Detroit Tigers
· Yahoo Sports
Following back-to-back postseason appearances in 2024 and ‘25, the 2026 season has not begun the way the Detroit Tigers likely had hoped. Now more than halfway through the season, they sit ten games below .500, at 40-50. In one of the more gettable divisions in baseball, Detroit currently sits 7.5 games out of the American League Central, with three teams ahead of them, and five games out of a wild card berth. While more significant surges have happened, the club may find themselves in position to sell at this year’s deadline.
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Despite recent success in the regular season, and their placement in a division that hasn’t yielded many powerhouses in the last handful of years, a fire sale at this year’s deadline may be the most beneficial move in the big picture for the Tigers. This sale would, of course, be centered around ace Tarik Skubal.
View LinkSkubal is perhaps the finest starting pitcher in baseball when healthy, the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner. The uber-talented lefty is a free agent after the 2026 season, and will almost surely fetch an enormous nine-figure deal this offseason. At this juncture, it seems unlikely that deal comes from the Detroit front office, and if they don’t like their chances of a comeback in the Central, it’s likely time to move on from their superstar pitcher. Skubal would net a top-notch batch of prospects from any club taking him on, and as one of the most impactful players in the game, he would instantly help any contender jump to the next level, the only debate is whether they’d pony up to the asking price. With multiple huge contracts already on the books in the starting rotation, a re-signing of Skubal in the offseason would be unlikely.
Perhaps a cheaper option than their all-world starter, Casey Mize is also a free agent following this season. As a former first overall pick in the 2018 draft, this has easily been the finest season of his career. His 2.64 ERA and 2.72 FIP are career-best marks by more than a run, as he’s striking out more and walking less across his 13 starts in 2026. With far less on the resume than Skubal, Mize should be a highly sought-after arm at the deadline, and perhaps a more suitable option for those not willing to part with multiple top prospects.
Elsewhere on the pitching staff, relievers Kenley Jansen and Drew Anderson have options for the 2027 season, and could draw some interest as low cost options this offseason. Kyle Finnegan has had the best season of the bunch out of the bullpen, and with an additional year of team control, could be an even more intriguing option. Jack Flaherty is also a free agent this offseason, but has plenty to prove with an injury-riddled and not-so-great 2026 behind him thus far.
As far as the bats go, Gleyber Torres is perhaps the most likely to be moved at the deadline. The 29-year-old former Yankees is entering free agency once again after this season, and should be an intriguing target for a club in need of help in the infield. Managing a 116 wRC+ since arriving in Detroit last season, Torres is an established capable big league hitter, though he currently sits on the IL with an oblique problem. Although a reunion with the Yankees is unlikely for Torres, moving the three-time All-Star would seem like a wise move for the struggling Tigers.
While the Tigers have several valuable trade pieces to move at this year’s deadline, a fit with the Yankees may take some maneuvering on both sides. Skubal and Mize are top-end options to add to a rotation, while the Yankees would likely need a shake-up for Detroit’s other pieces to fit nicely. With that being said, a smaller-scale deal, or one involving a less obvious trade candidate, is always on the table, especially with a Tigers club likely to sell, and the Yanks likely to buy.