The New York Yankees were surprisingly thrown into trade rumors about Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. Earlier this offseason, NJ.com’s Randy Miller reported that Paul Skenes allegedly has told a teammate that he wants to play for the Yankees.
“Trust me, he wants to play for the Yankees,” the Skenes teammate said, per Miller. “I’ve heard him say it multiple times.”
Skenes has since shut down the rumors and noted that he wants to stay in Pittsburgh and be a part of the team turning things around. MLB insider Mark Feinsand confirmed that the Pirates are not trying to trade the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner to the Yankees, but left the door open for a trade in the future.
“I don’t know if it qualifies as an actual rumor, but any and all talk about Paul Skenes being traded — specifically to the Yankees — is just insane,” wrote Feinsand. “The Pirates aren’t trading Skenes this offseason (I won’t guarantee anything beyond that), especially as we keep hearing about them spending some money in free agency. Anything you hear about Skenes being traded to the Yankees should be disregarded — at least for this winter.”
Pretty much any team in the league would want a pitcher like Skenes in their rotation. He has started the All-Star Game in both years he has been in the big leagues. He is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and is under club control through 2029. There are doubts about the Pirates’ ability to pay him. Skenes could become the highest-paid pitcher in baseball soon, meaning only a few teams have a realistic chance at signing him.
Among those teams would be the New York Yankees. They have the financial capability to afford him, but they won’t be getting him this winter. However, Feinsand did not shut down the idea of him being traded down the line, which is when the Yankees could look to grab him.
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