Yankees, Mets have ‘no chance’ at acquiring this star in trade: Insider

The New York Mets and New York Yankees could both benefit from adding more starting pitching, but for different reasons. The Mets need more quality arms in general, and the Yankees need arms to cover innings while Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are out.

Regardless of why they need arms, both teams would be ecstatic to have Tarik Skubal, who has been the center of trade rumors all offseason. The back-to-back Cy Young Award winner is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and is bound to become the highest-paid pitcher in baseball soon.

The Detroit Tigers have not historically given out contracts like that. In fact, they are headed to arbitration with Skubal. Trade rumors continue to swirl, but MLB insider Jon Heyman noted that the Yankees and Mets have checked in on Skubal, but have “no chance.”

“Tarik Skubal is super elite, and the Tigers are well within their rights to expect a huge return if they surprise us and deal him. After brief talks, the Yankees and Mets quickly figured they have no chance,” Heyman wrote on Friday.

Skubal has won two ERA titles and has a 2.30 ERA in the last two seasons. He has made 62 starts in that span and has 469 strikeouts. To acquire him, a team would have to give up more than a package of prospects. The Tigers would want big league talent as well.

Freddy Peralta was just traded for two top 30 prospects, including one top 100 prospect. He also has only one year of control, but Skubal’s return would have to be significantly better than Peralta’s.

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