Cy Young Winner Paul Skenes Denies Desire to Join Yankees

The recent controversy swirling around Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has grabbed headlines all over Major League Baseball. The star pitcher, though, is putting those rumors to bed.

A report claimed he wanted a trade to the New York Yankees. Skenes shot down the allegation, saying he’s loyal to the Pirates and committed to building a winner in Pittsburgh.

He’s already picked up a Cy Young, boasts an elite pitching record, and his young career is on a steep upward climb. Skenes is now the face of the team, and the offseason rumor mill just adds more drama to the story.

Unanimous Cy Young Win Overshadowed by Trade Rumors

Skenes just made history as the second-youngest unanimous Cy Young Award winner in MLB history. That should’ve been the talk of the town, but NJ Advance Media published a piece quoting an anonymous teammate who claimed Skenes wanted out of Pittsburgh before free agency in 2029.

The young right-hander didn’t waste time disputing it. He said he had no clue who the supposed source was and made it clear: he’s focused on winning in Pittsburgh, not itching to leave.

Response from Pirates Management

General Manager Ben Cherington backed Skenes’ comments. He stated there are no plans to trade the ace this offseason.

Cherington also stressed that the team wants to build a competitive roster around Skenes. The front office sees him as a cornerstone for years to come.

The Gerrit Cole Comparison

For Pirates fans, hearing rumors about their star pitcher heading to the Yankees brings up memories of former ace Gerrit Cole. But Skenes isn’t Cole.

Cole grew up a Yankees fan and eventually landed in New York. Skenes’ baseball roots are with the Los Angeles Angels—he idolized Mike Trout as a kid, and he’s kept his loyalty with the team that drafted him.

Performance and Challenges

Skenes has posted an impressive 1.96 ERA over 55 big-league starts. Still, that hasn’t flipped the script for the Pirates.

The team’s slogged through seven consecutive losing seasons. The 2025 campaign is shaping up with one of the smallest payrolls in baseball again.

Cherington hinted that there might be more payroll flexibility this winter. That could open the door for some much-needed roster upgrades.

The Long Road Back to Glory

Pittsburgh hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015. The last World Series trophy? That was 1979—a 46-year gap that’s hard to ignore.

These aren’t just stats—they’re a reminder of how tough it is for a small-market team to keep up in a league where money talks.

New Leadership in the Dugout

Skenes had good things to say about new pitching coach Bill Murphy. He likes Murphy’s willingness to take on the challenge of building a contender here.

Murphy brings a fresh voice to the clubhouse. Maybe that’s what the Pirates’ pitching staff needs right now.

Skenes’ Vision for the Future

Individual awards like the Cy Young are nice, but Skenes keeps coming back to team success. His ultimate ambition?

That’s the mindset he’s bringing. The Pirates are hoping it sparks a new era under their brightest star.

Turning Commitment into Reality

For the Pirates, keeping a player like Skenes means a lot more than just having an ace on the mound. It’s about shaping a franchise where top talent actually wants to stick around, improve, and lead the charge.

Free agency is still a few years off, so the team has some breathing room. They’ve got time to show they can offer the support and roster depth needed to really compete.

Now that the rumor mill is quieting down and offseason plans are finally coming together, Skenes’ future in Pittsburgh feels a bit clearer. It’ll probably depend on whether the front office can match his drive with the right decisions.

Fans can relax a little, at least for now. Their Cy Young winner isn’t searching for an exit—he’s searching for a way forward.

 
Here is the source article for this story: After Cy Young win, Paul Skenes denies alleged desires to be traded to Yankees