The New York Yankees already have a solid rotation — every starter has Major League experience, and overall, it’s a dependable group. But the team may be willing to spend up to $400 million to land a pitcher who’s currently considered one of the best arms in all of baseball.
It’s worth noting that the largest contract on the Yankees’ pitching staff belongs to Gerrit Cole at $324 million. Max Fried holds the second-highest at $218 million. They’re the only two pitchers in the rotation earning over $200 million — and if a new ace were to join on a $400 million deal, it would become the richest pitching contract in the organization’s history.
In fact, such a deal wouldn’t just top every pitcher on the Yankees’ staff — it would even surpass Aaron Judge’s $360 million contract, making the newcomer the highest-paid player on the team, period.
Who’s the top arm being linked to the Yankees?
According to a report from Buster Olney, the Yankees are expected to be one of the teams ready to offer $400 million to Tarik Skubal, who is entering what could be his final season with the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees won’t be alone in the bidding war — the Mets and Dodgers are also reportedly in the mix.
“Tarik Skubal is set to land $400 million after the 2026 season,” Olney reported, adding that the left-hander will have to wait one more full season before signing such a deal. “The question is whether it will come from the Yankees, Dodgers or Mets.”
A Near-Perfect Season for Skubal
The 2025 campaign has been exceptional for Skubal. He’s currently 10-3, putting him on pace to surpass last year’s 18-4 record. His ERA sits at 2.19 — even better than the 2.39 mark he posted in 2024. It’s been a remarkable stretch, as Skubal has been consistently dominant since his breakout season in 2022 with the Tigers.