Landing Destinations for Paul Skenes: Top Teams with Favorable Chances
In the world of Major League Baseball, the future of star pitcher Paul Skenes has been a hot topic of discussion. Despite rumors and speculation, the Pittsburgh Pirates have not made any moves to trade Skenes at the 2025 trade deadline.
The Pirates, who are currently struggling this season, sitting three games below .500, have emphasized their focus on building towards 2026 rather than making cost-saving moves now. General manager Ben Cherington has stressed the team's flexibility to add in the upcoming season.
Rumors of a contract extension for Skenes have surfaced, but many insiders are skeptical that he will re-sign with the Pirates given his preference to test free agency at the earliest opportunity and the team's continued low payroll approach. Skenes, who is under contract through 2029, is expected to want to leave Pittsburgh eventually due to the team's lack of spending and competitive success.
One team reportedly refusing to trade their top prospect for anyone but Skenes is the New York Yankees. However, the Pirates have no intention to trade Skenes, making a deal unlikely.
While no specific trade destinations have been finalized or widely reported, teams like the Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox have shown interest. The Red Sox, who could use a boost in their pitching rotation, have odds of 600 to acquire Skenes. The Tigers, currently in first place in the AL with a 43-24 record, have odds of 400. The Los Angeles Dodgers, known for their willingness to spend money, have the shortest odds to land Skenes, with odds of 250.
The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs have significantly longer odds to acquire Skenes, with +800 and +1000 odds respectively. The Orioles, who currently have odds of 800, and the Cubs, with odds of 1000, may find it challenging to secure a deal for the coveted pitcher.
The New York Yankees, a team known to make splashy moves and desperate to win their first title since 2009, could potentially be a strong contender for Skenes if he becomes a free agent. The Detroit Tigers, who were 14th in the MLB's preseason power rankings but have improved to true contender status, are also in the running.
As of late August, the future of Skenes remains uncertain. If he is able to test free agency, the situation could potentially get interesting. For now, the fate of Skenes is in the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Some betting sites offer odds of 600 for the Boston Red Sox to acquire Paul Skenes in a potential trade.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers have the shortest odds to land Skenes, with odds of 250, given their reputation for spending money.
- The Pittsburgh Pirates, despite interest from teams like the Yankees, Tigers, and Red Sox, have no intention to trade star pitcher Paul Skenes.
- Rumors of a contract extension for Skenes have surfaced, but his preference to test free agency at the earliest opportunity and the team's low payroll approach could make him leave Pittsburgh eventually.
