Pirates' Paul Skenes breaks silence on Yankees trade rumor

Billy Heyen

Pirates' Paul Skenes breaks silence on Yankees trade rumor image

Paul Skenes won the NL Cy Young on Wednesday, but the Pittsburgh Pirates' ace had to use part of his time to address some rumors.

A report came out saying that one of Skenes' teammates had heard him talking about wanting to play for the New York Yankees.

Naturally, Skenes was asked about it.

"I don't know where that came from," Skenes told reporters on Wednesday. "The goal is to win, and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh."

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Skenes won't be a free agent until 2029.

The Pirates are coming off a season in which they went 71-91 and placed last in the NL Central.

"The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win," Skenes told reporters Wednesday night. "There are 29 fan bases that expect us to lose. I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that."

The Pirates also have no intention of moving Skenes.

"The question gets asked, and it's always respectful," Pirates GM Ben Cherington told reporters on Tuesday. "Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won't end. But the answer's been consistent."

Skenes led the majors in ERA in 2025 at 1.97. He also struck out 216 batters in 187.1 innings pitched.

In a nod to the times, Skenes had just a 10-10 record, but he was still a unanimous choice as the NL Cy Young winner.

Nothing will entirely stop the Skenes rumors, though. It'll be up to the Pirates' front office to put a team on the field that is worthy of its ace pitcher.

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Editorial Team