Paul Skenes has quickly become a standout among MLB's elite pitchers. The Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander has lived up to his billing as the No. 1 draft pick, proving why he was the top prospect before his debut. While many big-market teams would love to add Skenes to their roster, the Pirates are holding firm.
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the New York Yankees attempted to snag Skenes at last year’s trade deadline. They were ready to offer four top prospects in exchange, but Pittsburgh wasn’t interested.
Heyman notes that if the Pirates ever show any willingness to trade Skenes, the Yankees will likely be first in line. “Sources say the Yankees were prepared to offer four top prospects last July,” he wrote.
“The Pirates have no intention to trade Skenes in the foreseeable future. But expect the Yankees to circle back if they ever detect even a glimmer of an opening.”
With four years of club control left on his contract, Skenes will only hit arbitration eligibility next year, so the Yankees might have to wait for another shot at him. While it’s unclear exactly which prospects the Yankees were willing to part with, Heyman suggests names like Cam Schlittler, George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, and Carlos Lagrange might have been on the table.
Skenes' accolades speak volumes. He took home the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and followed it up with a Cy Young Award last season, after finishing third the previous year. His performance is a testament to his talent and why the Pirates are keen to keep him around.