Paul Skenes added to his particular person accolades with the Nationwide League Cy Younger Award however had to make use of the second to additionally sidestep concern that he’s trying to go away the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Skenes stays underneath group management for the remainder of the last decade however discovered himself pushing again towards a report that he has informed teammates he’s keen to maneuver on by way of commerce — with a specific concentrate on becoming a member of the New York Yankees.
“I do not know the place that got here from,” Skenes informed reporters Wednesday night time. “The aim is to win, and the aim is to win in Pittsburgh.”
Skenes mentioned he noticed the report — during which an nameless Pirates participant is quoted as saying that the star right-hander is “hoping for a commerce” earlier than he can develop into a free agent in 2029 — however responded that he “did not assume a lot about it.”
“The way in which that followers see us outdoors of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh will not be speculated to win,” Skenes mentioned. “There are 29 fan bases that count on us to lose. I need to be part of the 26 guys that change that.”
Pirates basic supervisor Ben Cherington on Tuesday equally rejected the thought of Skenes leaving Pittsburgh. Cherington mentioned he has usually obtained inquiries from golf equipment concerning Skenes’ availability and mentioned the conversations are all the time quick.
“The query will get requested, and it is all the time respectful,” Cherington mentioned on the MLB basic managers conferences. “Groups must ask the query. I believe that will not finish. However the reply’s been constant.”
The Pirates (71-91) completed final within the Nationwide League Central in 2025, 26 video games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. Skenes, the primary pitcher since Dwight Gooden with the New York Mets within the mid-Nineteen Eighties to win Rookie of the 12 months one season and a Cy Younger Award the following, stays optimistic Pittsburgh is nearer to contending than most assume and that his aim is for a number of World Sequence titles with the Pirates.
Skenes, chosen first general by the Pirates within the 2023 beginner draft, did his half in 2025, main the majors in ERA (1.97) whereas hanging out 216 batters in 187⅓ innings throughout his first full season within the huge leagues.
But even along with his brilliance, Skenes wanted a bit of late assist from Pittsburgh’s woeful offense to keep away from turning into the primary Cy Younger-winning beginning pitcher to complete with a shedding report. Skenes received three of his remaining 4 choices to complete 10-10. That so-so report did not cease the towering 6-foot-6 right-hander from being a unanimous Cy Younger decide.
Though he was upset to be out of competition, Skenes mentioned taking part in out the string was “a blessing” individually in some methods.
“It allowed me to attempt some new issues in August and September that I would not have gotten to attempt if we had been taking part in for the playoffs,” he mentioned.
Data from ESPN’s Jorge Castillo and The Related Press was used on this report.