GM says Paul Skenes will be a Pirate in ‘26 amid Yankees rumors

Field Level Media|published: Wed 12th November, 18:38 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) watches from the dugout in the sixth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The Reds won, 2-1.

Paul Skenes isn't going anywhere. At least, not this offseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington told reporters at MLB general managers meetings this week in Las Vegas that Skenes "is going to be a Pirate in 2026," according to FanSided.

It might not be what Skenes himself wanted to hear, as NJ.com reported Wednesday that the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year has said he wanted to play for the New York Yankees.

The report cited an anonymous Pirates teammate who claimed, "Trust me, he wants to play for the Yankees. I've heard him say it multiple times."

Pittsburgh has Skenes on a $9.2 million rookie deal that was record-breaking at the time. He won't be arbitration eligible till 2027 and isn't on track for free agency until 2030.

Despite Skenes, 23, being perceived as the best pitcher in baseball -- he pitched to a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts in 32 starts this past season -- the Pirates have remained a losing team since the 2023 first overall draft pick reached the major leagues. They went 71-91 in 2025 and fired manager Derek Shelton early in the campaign. Don Kelly will be the manager going forward after having his interim label removed.

Cherington confirmed that other clubs have checked in about Skenes' availability in a trade.

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

--Field Level Media

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