GM Meetings Rumor Roundup: Skenes-Yankees “A Joke,” Tatis Trade “Not Happening,” and What’s Real This Hot Stove Season.vc

viet cuong3 hours ago

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The 2025 GM Meetings in Las Vegas have concluded. While no major deals were signed, the “dust has settled,” and the “executive-speak” has been deciphered. Here is a breakdown of what to believe—and what to forget—from the week’s biggest rumors.

The notebook is full after a week of meetings with general managers and team officials. While free agency is just getting started, the meetings have set the board for the winter. Here is what’s real and what’s not from the Hot Stove rumor mill.

Rumors to Forget: Skenes & Tatis Are Staying Put

Two of the week’s biggest rumors involved two of the National League’s brightest stars. According to insider analysis, both are going nowhere.

Paul Skenes to the Yankees: “A Joke” A report surfaced linking the 2025 NL Cy Young winner to the New York Yankees. That rumor has been emphatically shut down. One person close to the situation called the report a “joke,” and Skenes himself denied it to The Athletic, stating:“I don’t know where that came from… I’m on the Pirates. My goal is to win with the Pirates. … I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that.”
Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade: “Not Happening” Early reports suggested the San Diego Padres might entertain the idea of trading Fernando Tatis Jr. to shed payroll. This is not seen as a realistic possibility. Tatis, 26, is owed ~$290 million over nine seasons and holds a full no-trade clause. Furthermore, GM AJ Preller’s goal is to compete in 2026, and his best chance to do that is with Tatis on the roster.

The “Blow Us Away” Trade Market: Ryan & Peralta

While Skenes and Tatis are off the table, teams are “poking around” on two other controllable, front-line starters. However, their current teams are not eager to sell.

Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins) Teams are “testing” the Twins’ willingness to move Ryan. When asked, Twins President Derek Falvey said, “Our starting pitching is the strength of this team.” The translation is that the Twins prefer to keep Ryan but will listen. As the best starter realistically mentioned in trade rumors besides Tarik Skubal—and one who is controlled until 2028—the Twins will only move Ryan if they are “truly blown away” by an offer.
Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee Brewers) Similarly, teams are inquiring about Peralta. Brewers President Matt Arnold provided a clear response: “I anticipate him being part of our team moving forward.” At just $8 million in 2026, Peralta is incredibly affordable and vital to the clubhouse. It’s not impossible, but it would take a “massive haul” to trade him.

Free Agent Market: Tucker, Keller & Boras’s Leverage

Scott Boras & The Kyle Tucker “Shade” Agent Scott Boras “raised eyebrows” when he called his client, Cody Bellinger, “the only 5-tool outfielder on the free agent market,” seemingly “forgetting” Kyle Tucker. This is being viewed as a “pure leverage play.” Tucker is widely considered the best player in free agency—a Gold Glove winner who can steal 25-30 bases and posted an .865 OPS in his career.
Cubs “Will Be Talking” to Tucker So, what about Tucker’s market? The Cubs, his 2025 team, have a stated need for pitching. But when asked about Tucker’s free agency, Cubs President Jed Hoyer confirmed the team’s interest, saying, “He’s a great player, we had a really good experience with him, and we’ll be talking to his agent Casey Close.”
Brad Keller to Get “Starter Looks” After a breakout 2025 season in the Cubs’ bullpen (2.07 ERA), free-agent right-hander Brad Keller is drawing interest as both a starting pitcher and a reliever, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. This “always made sense,” as Keller has extensive starting experience. His dominant relief performance has now earned him a serious look as a “swing option” who could return to a rotation in 2026.