Major League Baseball's trade market is buzzing with the New York Yankees at its centre, as the storied franchise scrambles to address a critical shortage in its starting rotation. The urgency stems from the confirmed absence of ace Gerrit Cole, who is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season following Tommy John surgery.
Yankees' Desperate Search for Pitching Help
Faced with a significant gap at the top of their rotation, the Yankees' front office has been in active discussions with multiple teams across the league. Their search intensified after one potential target, Edward Cabrera, was traded to the Chicago Cubs on January 7, 2026. This development has narrowed the Yankees' focus onto three prominent names: Detroit's Tarik Skubal, Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta, and Washington's MacKenzie Gore.
The primary objective is clear: secure a high-calibre arm before spring training commences. The team's current predicament leaves them exploring every available avenue to avoid beginning the season with a severely weakened pitching staff.
Tarik Skubal: The Crown Jewel with a Steep Price
The most tantalising and expensive option is Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Skubal has established himself as one of baseball's elite pitchers over the past two seasons. His trade value is currently sky-high, especially after recent reports confirmed that he and the Tigers failed to agree on a new contract and have entered arbitration.
This contractual stalemate, with Skubal entering the final year of his deal, has ignited widespread trade speculation. However, acquiring him will not be easy. Renowned MLB insider Jon Heyman remarked this week that any team wishing to land Skubal would likely have to surrender "half their team," underscoring the massive prospect package Detroit would demand. While Skubal perfectly fits the Yankees' need for an ace, many insiders believe the asking price may be prohibitively steep, even for the free-spending Yankees.
Peralta and Gore Emerge as Viable Alternatives
Given the potential cost for Skubal, the Yankees have significantly increased their focus on the other two pitchers on their radar.
Freddy Peralta, the All-Star right-hander for the Milwaukee Brewers, is also in the final year of his contract. He is coming off a spectacular 2025 season where he posted a 17–6 record with a career-best 2.70 ERA and led the National League in wins. A trade for Peralta might require a lesser prospect haul than one for Skubal.
The third target, MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals, presents a different appeal. The talented left-hander is not a rental; he has three years of team control remaining on his contract. This gives Washington significant leverage in talks but also makes Gore an attractive long-term investment for any acquiring team, including the Yankees.
The Yankees must now weigh a crucial decision: pay a historic prospect price for a superstar like Skubal, or pursue a more balanced deal for Peralta or Gore.
What Happens If No Deal is Made?
Should the Yankees fail to strike a trade before the season opener, they are prepared to field a patchwork rotation. The likely starting group would include Max Fried, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Cam Schlittler. This group would hold the fort while waiting for the returns of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt from their respective surgeries.
As the 2026 MLB season approaches, all eyes are on the Yankees' front office to see if they can pull off a major move to stabilise their championship aspirations or if they will be forced to rely on their internal depth and a delayed comeback from their ace.
