Yankees' Tarik Skubal trade deadline approach revealed by ESPN insider

The New York Yankees may have the best starting rotation in the Majors. 

Gerrit Cole has looked strong coming off Tommy John Surgery, despite a hiccup against the Cleveland Guardians last night. 

Blossoming ace Cam Schlittler may be the frontrunner for the American League Cy Young Award, and both Will Warren and Ryan Weathers are enjoying breakout years. 

Strong performances from those mentioned are why ESPN's Jeff Passan has a clear indication of what the Yankees' approach will be when it comes to a potential blockbuster trade for Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. 

"If anyone doesn't need Skubal, it's the Yankees," Passan wrote Thursday. "And yet the moment Skubal officially becomes available, the Yankees will gauge the cost, because even if you don't need something, that doesn't mean you don't want it." 

It remains to be seen how much the Yankees would be willing to offer the Tigers for a half-season of Skubal, who underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow. 

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Chances are, the struggling Tigers would start the conversation with top prospect George Lombard Jr. and flamethrower Carlos Lagrange. 

Would the Yankees love to add a pitcher of Skubal's caliber? Of course. He's the back-to-back AL Cy Young for a reason. 

But there should be other areas of focus at the trade deadline, like adding a right-handed hitting catcher and bullpen arms. 

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