The New York Yankees tried to acquire Paul Skenes at last season’s trade deadline. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Pittsburgh Pirates refused to engage with the offer. New York was reportedly prepared to put four top prospects on the table. Pittsburgh shut the door.
Skenes went on to win the National League Cy Young Award in 2025. He struck out 216 batters in 187.2 innings, posted a 0.95 WHIP, and finished with a 1.97 ERA across 32 starts. He followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024 with one of the most dominant pitching seasons in recent memory. The Pirates held firm, and the Yankees moved on without their top target.
On Wednesday, Pittsburgh locked up 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin with a nine-year deal worth $140 million. It is the largest deal in franchise history. Skenes was asked about the move, and his response reignited the conversation around his future.
What Skenes Said About Griffin
Skenes praised the deal and spoke highly of his young teammate.
“He’s going to be the face of the Pirates for a long time,” Skenes said.
Skenes is the reigning Cy Young winner, a two-time All-Star, and arguably the most dominant pitcher in the National League. If anyone holds the title of face of the franchise in Pittsburgh right now, it is him.
Skenes did not claim it for himself. Whether that was intentional or not, it was noticed.
Skenes will become eligible for arbitration ahead of the 2027 season and is under team control through the end of 2029. He hits free agency before the 2030 campaign.
Pittsburgh just committed $140 million to Griffin. The question of what they are prepared to offer their ace has never been louder.
Why the Yankees Are Watching
New York’s interest in Skenes is not new and it is not going away.
The Yankees tried at the deadline. They were turned down. Heyman reported that the club intends to pursue Skenes again if the opportunity arises.
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay acknowledged the appeal but pushed back on the likelihood of a near-term deal, noting that Pittsburgh still controls Skenes for four more years and has no reason to move him now.
GettyPaul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Contract Reality
Skenes is earning $1.085 million this season on a pre-arbitration deal. Griffin just signed for $140 million.
Pittsburgh’s front office has said they want Skenes for the long term. General manager Ben Cherington called him someone they would want to keep for as long as possible after last season. But wanting and paying are different things, and the Pirates have struggled in the past to retain their top talent when the price climbs.
Each dominant start raises the cost. Each year without an extension shortens the window.
GettyPaul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Yankees
Skenes may not have meant anything by calling Griffin the face of the franchise. He was being a good teammate. He was celebrating a young player’s moment.
But in Pittsburgh, where stars have left before, the words carry weight whether he intended them to or not. The Yankees already tried once. They will try again.
The clock is ticking in Pittsburgh. New York can hear it from the Bronx.
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