The New York Yankees’ hopes of acquiring generational pitching talent Paul Skenes from the Pittsburgh Pirates remain “status quo,” but the reality behind that status is a firm and unwavering refusal from the Pirates’ front office.
Despite the Yankees’ reported interest and willingness to part with top prospects, the Pirates have made it unequivocally clear that their 23-year-old ace is not available.
The Definitive “Do Not Call” Message
MLB insiders have reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates are treating Skenes as their untouchable cornerstone, shutting down any trade speculation before it can even begin.
- Pirates’ Stance: According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “The Pirates won’t even listen to trade proposals for Skenes, so don’t bother calling.”
- GM Confirmation: Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has been equally definitive, stating plainly that Skenes “is going to be a Pirate in 2026.” Most front-office leaders avoid such absolutes, making Cherington’s statement a powerful deterrent to interested clubs like the Yankees.
- Yankees’ Offer: The Yankees were reportedly interested and willing to trade top prospects, but the Pirates shot down the inquiry, unwilling to even enter a discussion.
Why Skenes is Untouchable
The Pirates’ refusal to trade Skenes is rooted in the pitcher’s historic start to his career and his control status, which makes him the foundation of any future contention plan:
| Detail | Skenes’ Value/Status |
| 2025 Performance | 1.97 ERA (MLB ERA Leader), 10-10 W-L, 216 strikeouts in 187.2 IP. Finished the season as an NL Cy Young finalist. |
| Contract Control | He is still Pre-Arbitration for the 2026 season, making him extremely affordable (around $1M salary) before entering three years of arbitration. |
| Free Agency | Skenes is not eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season, giving the Pirates four more years of control. |
| Career Trajectory | He won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and has amassed a career ERA of 1.96 through his first two seasons, establishing himself as arguably the best young pitcher in baseball. |
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For a franchise like the Pirates, trading Skenes would be seen as abandoning their future entirely.
Yankees’ Pitching Outlook
The Yankees will have to pursue pitching help elsewhere, particularly given their recent injury woes:
- Injury Concerns: Both Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Carlos Rodón (elbow) are expected to miss at least the beginning of the 2026 season.
- The Depth: The rotation is currently anchored by Max Fried and a revitalized Carlos Rodón, along with the emergence of rookie Cam Schlittler. The Yankees also have prospects like Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz poised to debut.
With the door firmly closed on Skenes, the Yankees must now turn their focus to the remaining pitching trade market (like Mitch Keller) or international free agency to supplement their staff.
With the Paul Skenes door shut, the Yankees are expected to aggressively pursue offensive upgrades. Would you like to check the latest market updates on Juan Soto, who is also a major international target for the Yankees?
