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Yankees announcer shuts down potential trade for Paul Skenes.
The New York Yankees had been linked to Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, although Pittsburgh has shown no desire to trade him.
Although many have connected Skenes to the Yankees in the future, New York’s announcer, Michael Kay, shot down the potential trade, as he doesn’t see the Pirates trading him.
“You think the Pirates going to trade this guy when they still have control of him for four years?” Kay asked. … “He’s filthy. He’s disgusting how good he is.”
The Pirates did spend more money this offseason to help improve the team and potentially earn a playoff berth. But perhaps in a couple of years from now, the Pirates do look to trade Skenes. And the Yankees would no doubt be interested in him.
However, as much as Yankees fans seem to think Skenes will be traded to the Bronx, Kay doesn’t see it happening this year or anytime soon.
Skenes is under team control through the 2029 season and is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. The former first overall pick is 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 3 starts this season with the Pirates.
Yankees Tried to Trade for Skenes
Ahead of the 2026 MLB season, MLB insider Jon Heyman revealed the Yankees tried to trade for Skenes; however, the insider revealed the Pirates didn’t even listen to the offer.
Heyman reported that the Pirates have no intentions of trading Skenes, as Pittsburgh still hopes they can re-sign him.
Meanwhile, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden said on Foul Territory that he believes the Pirates should have traded Skenes to the Yankees this offseason.
“Based on the report that’s there, the Pirates should have gone ahead and closed the deal immediately,” Bowden said. “And I love Paul Skenes, don’t get me wrong, but I know that when his free agent days are up, he’s not going to be able to sign long-term in Pittsburgh.
“They’re not going to pay him $400 million or whatever it’s going to take at that time. So you know your length of life with Skenes in Pittsburgh. If, in fact, you were offered Cam Schlittler, I think he’s going to be a one. I said that last year, and that’s before the development of the cutter this year. I think the makeup, the delivery, the stuff, I think he’s a one, I just think he’s an ace.”
Bowden believes the Pirates should have accepted a trade package involving Schlittler, George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, and Carlos Lagrange.
Skenes Wants to Win in Pittsburgh
Although Skenes’ name has come up in trade rumors, he is just focused on winning.
Skenes said he hasn’t thought about an extension. Instead, he is just focused on taking the ball and pitching for the Pirates.
“The group that we have from last year is going to be better I think than we were last year,” Skenes said. “We’re going to have more experience. I don’t think you can overstate the impact that coaches can have on it, too. So we made some good additions there. It’s not a complicated thing. It’s hard to do, but it’s not complicated.”
Skenes won the NL CY Young Award last season.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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