Overview
- Jon Heyman reported Thursday night that New York tried to trade for Paul Skenes at last July’s deadline and the Pirates refused to even hear the offer.
- Pirates GM Ben Cherington has repeated that the club does not plan to trade Skenes, reinforcing a stance that other teams continue to test.
- Reporting says the Yankees were ready to send four top prospects, with names floated including Cam Schlittler, George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones and Carlos Lagrange.
- Skenes exited Opening Day on Thursday after two-thirds of an inning with five runs allowed in a loss to the Mets, a rough start that has reignited chatter but not Pittsburgh’s resolve.
- Analysts project Skenes could command about $50 million per year in free agency after 2029, and multiple outlets say the Yankees will try again if any opening appears while the Pirates show little hope of an extension under current rules.