The funniest part of Jon Heyman reporting the Yankees “checked in” on Tarik Skubal is the idea that Detroit is supposed to respond like it’s flattered.
Because if the Yankees walked away thinking it would take “half the team” to get Skubal, good. That means the Tigers are playing this the only way it should be played: if you want the ace who can bend a season, you’re not paying retail for him.
Skubal is coming off a monster 2025 where he won the AL Cy Young again. Even if you’re only getting him for a limited runway, he’s not just a rotation upgrade.