Pittsburgh Pirates releases statement over Paul Skenes’ future after New York Yankees trade rumors

PITTSBURGH PIRATES general manager Ben Cherrington has once again reiterated his stance that star pitcher Paul Skenes will not be traded.

Skenes, 23, was one of very few bright sparks for the Pirates in yet another disappointing season.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates want to keep Paul SkenesCredit: Getty Images

The Pirates don’t want to trade Skenes to the New York YankeesCredit: AP

The side ended the National League Central year with a 71-91 record, even worse than their 76-86 form in 2024.

Skenes stood out for the Pirates despite their on and off-field struggles, but Cherrington has remained defiant over keeping his All-Star.

Speaking at the Major League Baseball General Managers meeting, he said: “The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful.

“Teams have to ask the question, right? I suspect that won’t end.

“But the answer’s been consistent.”

Talk of Skenes being traded – to not only earn more money personally but also to save the Pirates’ position – has been rife.

Earlier this year Cherrington shut a move down, saying: “It’s not at all part of the conversation.”

He has since added: “I do dismiss it, but I understand it.

“What we’re going to focus on is just how do we win games with him in a Pirates uniform.”

Skenes is contracted until 2029 but has been outperforming the rest of the roster, winning Rookie of the Year and then the Cy Young Award.

He was selected as the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has been a revelation for the Pirates, who have faced regular questions over his future.

Skenes himself put distance to the rumours in May and has shot back at suggestions that he is keen to join the New York Yankees.

He said: “I don’t know where that came from.

“The goal is to win, and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh.”

He continued: “The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win.

“There are 29 fan bases that expect us to lose. I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that.”

‘No substance’

He previously said: “It doesn’t affect anything, anybody can play GM.

“There’s no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that.”

Skenes concluded: “Ben’s job is to create a winning team and a winning organization. So, what it looks like to him [is up to him].”

“I don’t expect it to happen, [but Cherington] is going to look out for what’s best for the Pirates.

‘If he feels [trading me] is the right way to go, then he feels that’s the right way to go. But you know, I have to pitch well, that’s the bottom line.”