The New York Yankees haven’t hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy since 2009, and the frustration is mounting. With another offseason of big decisions looming, one prominent former Yankee believes the path back to the top runs straight through the starting rotation—specifically, by prying Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal away from the Motor City.
Cameron Maybin, who patrolled the outfield for the Yankees in 2019 and now works as a broadcaster, laid out his bold vision on Wednesday night.
In a post on X, the 37-year-old made it clear he’d rather see the Yankees swing a blockbuster for the reigning American League Cy Young winner than chase high-profile bats like Kyle Tucker or bring back Cody Bellinger.
“Tucker and Bellinger will shake up somebody’s offseason, but the move that would take over the entire league is the Yankees going to get Skubal,” Maybin wrote.
“Tigers clearly don’t want to pay him, or they would have already…. I’m sure they’re trying to justify or convince themselves how it’s probably not smart to pay Skubal what he deserves. But imagine pairing him with a healthy Sandy Alcantara in the Bronx along with [Max] Fried, [Gerrit] Cole, [Carlos] Rodon. That is a playoff nightmare for every lineup in baseball. And I don’t want to hear anything about payroll. This is the Yankees. If you want to win, you find a way to make it happen!”
Maybin’s proposed rotation would instantly become the most feared in the majors. Skubal, still under team control through 2026, is coming off a historic season in which he posted a 2.39 ERA, led the league in strikeouts, and carried Detroit to the postseason.
Pairing him with Cole, a healthy Carlos Rodón, prized free-agent addition Max Fried, and a rebounding Sandy Alcantara (who would require the Yankees making another major trade) would give manager Aaron Boone an embarrassment of riches on the mound.
It’s important to note that the idea of New York making a trade for both Skubal and Alcantara is highly unlikely.
While the Yankees have been linked to offensive upgrades—most notably Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker and a potential reunion with Cody Bellinger—the idea of landing Skubal would shift the entire balance of power in the American League. Detroit has yet to extend its ace, fueling speculation that the Tigers might listen to offers rather than commit north of $300 million long-term.
Sixteen years without a ring is an eternity in the Bronx.
If Maybin gets his wish and general manager Brian Cashman can assemble the right package, the Yankees could head into 2026 with a rotation capable of ending the longest championship drought of the Steinbrenner era.
