Looking around Major League Baseball, there are a few important factors that multiple teams have to consider if they ever want an opportunity to trade for Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
For one, the Pirates will have to make Skenes available.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh would also have to get back a package that just makes too much sense not to take. Unfortunately for many teams, that simply isn't possible.
Some have suggested that the Atlanta Braves could be a landing spot for the right-hander, and on paper, it makes a lot of sense.
The Braves could use starting pitching, while Skenes is arguably the best in baseball. However, others are a bit more realistic about how unlikely it is, including Chase Owens of FanSided, who thinks that the trade idea to Atlanta is simply a pipe dream.
Why can't a Skenes to Braves trade happen?
“For a long time, baseball fans have seen how frugal the ownership in Pittsburgh can be. Developing star players has been a challenge for the Pirates in the 21st century, and paying them has been another obstacle in itself. Skenes is the best player to wear a Pirates jersey in quite some time, and dominant pitching always gets paid in free agency...
“While trading for good pitching seems more up Alex Anthopoulos' alley, the Braves don't have anyone in their farm system valuable enough to headline a Skenes trade package. Because a Skenes trade probably won't be on the table for at least another couple years, the Braves will have to pivot elsewhere for starting pitching help this winter. However, if they want to swing big the AL Cy Young winner actually could be available this offseason,” he wrote.
It's fair to never say never in Major League Baseball, as crazy things have happened, but it’d be very surprising to see Skenes move to the Braves due to their farm system and other factors.
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