Paul Skenes in Yankees pinstripes?
The Yankees have been trying to make it happen, and that doesn’t figure to change any time soon.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in an article for the New York Post (subscription required), the Bronx Bombers tried for Skenes prior to last year’s Trade Deadline, and after the Pirates weren’t willing to entertain the idea the Yanks are still going to try to acquire the Pirates' phenom in the future.
Skenes, 23, is a two-time All-Star and the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner after posting an MLB-best 1.97 ERA over 32 starts for Pittsburgh in 2025. The prior year, he was named the NL Rookie of the Year.
The flamethrowing right-hander uncharacteristically recorded just two outs in his Opening Day start against the Mets in New York on Thursday, being taken out of the game after throwing 37 first-inning pitches.
But Skenes is undoubtedly one of the elite starting pitchers in the game, and arguably the best in the NL. The Bucs still have team control over him through the 2029 season before he is eligible for free agency.
Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne lives in New York, though it is not known whether that is a factor that could give the Yankees any advantage in their efforts to land him. He is originally from Orange County, Calif., played college baseball at Air Force and LSU, and currently has a home in South Florida.