The New York Yankees have walked away from a reported $40 million deal for Tarik Skubal, the left-handed pitcher the Detroit Tigers were eager to acquire.
According to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, the Tigers set a high price that the Yankees were unable to meet. "They set a high price that was something we were unable to get them off," Cashman said.
The sticking point in the negotiations was reportedly the Tigers' demand for Yankees' top prospect George Lombard Jr. Lombard, a 21-year-old infielder, is the No. 1 prospect in the Yankees organization and the No. 20 overall prospect in baseball. He is currently at Triple-A and carries a projected 2027 major-league arrival.
The Yankees selected Lombard with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. MLB Pipeline grades his defense as his best tool and views him as a potential power-speed threat capable of remaining at shortstop.
In the end, the Tigers found a different path to acquiring a premium young player. They traded for Zyhir Hope, a promising prospect, and sent Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers had been willing to part with Hope, which gave the Tigers the centerpiece they were looking for. The Yankees had the same type of prospect in Lombard, but were unwilling to trade him.
It's clear that the Tigers were willing to walk away from a deal for Skubal if it meant getting the player they really wanted. The Yankees, on the other hand, were not willing to give up their top prospect.
The trade for Hope has been a significant addition to the Tigers' farm system. The 20-year-old shortstop has a strong arm and is considered one of the top prospects in the Dodgers' organization.
The failure to reach a deal for Skubal means that the Yankees will have to look elsewhere for a left-handed pitcher. The team has been searching for a reliable starter to join their rotation.
The Skubal deal was just one of several high-profile trades that took place before the MLB trade deadline. The Dodgers' acquisition of Hope has been one of the most notable moves of the summer.
Source: Yahoo Sports