The Dodgers did not land Tarik Skubal because they had the biggest wallet. They landed him because they were the only team willing to pay the price Detroit asked for.

"People are going to say, 'Well, of course it's the Dodgers that get him.' Folks, this has nothing to do with money," Baseball commentator Chris Rose explained the simple truth behind Skubal's trade, per a video shared by Jomboy Media on X.

"Tarik Skubal's getting paid what he's getting paid this year, and whoever had to pick up his contract for the last two months of the season, that's what you pay. So the Brewers could've done that, the Braves could've done that."

Skubal is in the final year of his contract. He is earning 32 million dollars this season. The Dodgers only have to pay what is left for the final two months. 

So the idea that the Dodgers simply outbid the field with their wallet isn't true. Milwaukee — the other club viewed as Skubal's most serious suitor — was reportedly willing to absorb the remainder of his salary.

But what they didn't have was the willingness to give up the caliber of prospect the Dodgers gave up. The same goes for the Yankees.

"This is a question of the Tigers saying, 'This is the package we want,' and other teams not meeting that price," Rose added.

According to multiple reports, the Tigers wanted two Major League players, including a starting pitcher who was ready to play right now. On top of that, they wanted two top minor league prospects.

The Dodgers met that price, giving up outfielder Zyhir Hope, pitcher River Ryan, and pitcher Brady Smith to Detroit.

"Now, we did hear over the last few days that Los Angeles was Skubal's preferred destination—he had zero input on this! So if the Brewers wanted to put together a good enough package to go get him, or the Braves, or anybody else that was in on the Skubal sweepstakes, that was up to them!" Rose said during the same conversation.

So, With Skubal Gone... What's Left for the Yankees?

Losing out on Tarik Skubal stings. No fan likes to see a rival get stronger. But the honest truth is: Starting pitching was never the Yankees' problem to fix.

They already have Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, and Max Fried. Carlos Rodon is working his way toward a return in the coming days.

Adding Skubal would have made a strong group stronger and given them depth. They can easily move Will Warren and Ryan Weathers down in the bullpen.

So, if the Yankees still want another arm, the market has not completely dried up.

Names like Robbie Ray, Trevor Rogers, Casey Mize, Clay Holmes, Brady Singer, Shane Bieber and Foster Griffin are possible starters who could still move. And controllable names like Hunter Greene, Reid Detmers, José Soriano and Emerson Hancock sit in a pricier tier.

So, no, nobody else is Skubal. There's no single-handed, game-changing arm walking through that door for anyone but the Dodgers this year.

But the Yankees didn't lose the deadline just because they lost the biggest name in it. They can use their prospect depth to fill their other real needs, like a right-handed catcher or some outfield bats in Aaron Judge's absence.

Read more at the New York Yankees Community!

Written by

Md Saife Fida