Why Pirates trading Paul Skenes to Yankees rumors are 'insane'

Billy Heyen

Why Pirates trading Paul Skenes to Yankees rumors are 'insane' image

You don't have to look too far to find someone suggesting that the Pittsburgh Pirates should trade Paul Skenes.

And hey, if someone is speculating on rumors, why not send Skenes to the New York Yankees?

That's not something that sounds like it'll happen anytime soon, though.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand goes as far as calling it "insane."

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"I don't know if it qualifies as an actual rumor, but any and all talk about Paul Skenes being traded -- specifically to the Yankees -- is just insane," Feinsand wrote on Thursday. "The Pirates aren't trading Skenes this offseason (I won't guarantee anything beyond that), especially as we keep hearing about them spending some money in free agency. Anything you hear about Skenes being traded to the Yankees should be disregarded -- at least for this winter."

Skenes just won the NL Cy Young in his second season in Pittsburgh. He's one of the two-best pitchers on the planet, along with the Tigers' lefty Tarik Skubal.

There are all sorts of stats out there that basically provide evidence that no pitcher has ever started their career quite like Skenes.

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At some point, the Pirates have to stick behind stars that come up through their system and try to build around them.

For their credit, the Pirates do appear to be planning to invest some money in free agency this offseason, to build their roster up rather than tear it down.

With that in mind, Skenes can be the centerpiece, not a trade chip.

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Editorial Team