Paul Skenes a New York Yankee? The blockbuster MLB trade that almost was
The New York Yankees were closer than many realized to pulling off one of the most shocking deals in recent memory around MLB. According to reports, the Yankees made a serious push to acquire superstar pitcher Paul Skenes from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2025 MLB trade deadline—an aggressive move that ultimately fell short but revealed just how determined New York was to bolster its rotation. Skenes went on to win the NL Cy Young award last season, but there is no secret that the Yankees want him, and that he isn’t happy in Pittsburgh.
MORE: Predicting the winner of every MLB game on Friday, March 27, 2026 A Bold Deadline Swing Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images At the time, the Yankees were firmly in contention and looking for a frontline starter to anchor their rotation for both the present and future. Skenes, one of the most dominant young pitchers in the game, quickly became their top target.
New York reportedly explored multiple trade frameworks, including packages centered around top prospects and MLB-ready talent. The goal was clear: land a generational arm who could lead the rotation for years to come. Earlier today, it was revealed that the Yankees offered as many as four of their top 10 prospects.
Why Skenes Was Untouchable Despite the Yankees aggressive pursuit, the Pirates never seriously entertained moving Skenes. As a young ace with elite velocity and overpowering stuff, Skenes represents the type of franchise cornerstone teams build around—not trade away. For Pittsburgh, dealing a player of his caliber so early in his career would have required an overwhelming offer, likely including multiple top-tier prospects and established stars.
Even for the Yankees, that price proved too steep. What the Yankees Were Willing to Give Up While exact details of the players offered were not fully disclosed, sources indicate the Yankees were prepared to include four of their most valuable assets. This could have meant parting with high-end prospects and even young major league contributors—an indication of how highly they valued Skenes.