The Yankees never really seemed to be serious contenders for Tarik Skubal because they are loaded with quality starting pitchers.
And besides, the L.A. Dodgers (and maybe the Milwaukee Brewers) were considered the favorites for the two-time Cy Young Award winner anyway.
Yet the Tigers and Yankees did have discussions about the 29-year-old left-hander before Detroit eventually dealt him to the Dodgers for outfielder Zyhir Hope and pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.
“In their brief talks, the Tigers first asked for George Lombard Jr. (whose dad is the Tigers bench coach) then mentioned a four-player package of two big leaguers and two prospects while also saying they weren’t even sure that would get it done,” reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Yankees starter Will Warren was linked to several trades, including for San Diego Padres reliever Adrian Morejon, and was a potential option in any Skubal deal.
“The Tigers have always liked Will Warren,” Heyman wrote. “But it’s pretty obvious why the Yankees wouldn’t give up Warren and four young players with about 20 years of control for two-plus months.”
As for Lombard Jr., the Padres were reportedly also “focused” on the 21-year-old in any deal for closer Mason Miller.
But the Yankees reportedly weren’t willing to deal him for anyone.
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And now it’s clear why. The 6-foot-2 rookie has looked like a Godsend at shortstop in his brief tenure so far replacing the struggling Anthony Volpe.
Lombard Jr. has been a wizard in the field while batting .276 with 2 homers, 2 RBI and an .827 OPS.
“This is the future of the New York Yankees,” MLB analyst Eduardo Perez said of Lombard Jr. on ESPN. “This is the player that they were waiting for. He can do a lot of things right.”
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