Paul Skenes is making waves as one of the top pitchers in the league, even after a shaky start against the New York Mets on Opening Day. It's no wonder that big-market teams like the New York Yankees have their eyes on the former Cy Young winner.
Skenes is locked in with the Pittsburgh Pirates through 2029, but that didn't deter the Yankees from making a move last season. According to Jon Heyman from the New York Post, the Yankees made a play for Skenes at the trade deadline, but Pittsburgh shut it down before discussions could even take off.
The proposed deal reportedly involved top Yankees prospects like Cam Schlitter, Carlos Lagrange, George Lombard Jr., and Spencer Jones. However, the Pirates weren't biting. With Skenes' proven track record and his potential for growth, Pittsburgh had little interest in parting with their ace.
The Pirates have a history of trades that didn't quite pan out, often involving prospects who failed to deliver. Pittsburgh fans are understandably wary of trading away a star like Skenes for unproven talent.
Heyman also noted that while the Pirates have "no intention to trade Skenes ... in the foreseeable future," there's concern about keeping him long-term. Under the current rules, Skenes could command up to $50 million a year, a figure that might be out of reach unless changes are made to the payroll cap.
If the Pirates find themselves out of the NL Central race in the next couple of years, and a rebuild seems inevitable, a tempting offer filled with elite prospects might become harder to resist. For now, though, Skenes remains a cornerstone in Pittsburgh’s plans.