Major League Baseball’s trade deadline season is upon us, and the rumors are swirling from all angles. This time, it’s ESPN.com linking multiple teams as potential suitors for Pittsburgh Pirates ace, and one of the top arms in all of MLB, Paul Skenes. While Skenes’ rumors have been circulating for quite some time, now that it is July, there is serious buzz that the Pirates may move on from him.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who don’t particularly need starting pitching, are always included in massive deals like this due to their track record of making jaw-dropping moves. Both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow haven’t pitched in months with shoulder injuries, and while Glasnow is expected back as soon as this week, it’s unclear how well he will pitch for this Los Angeles rotation.
Massive Trade Idea for Skenes Includes Multiple Prospects
ESPN.com’s David Shoenfield rifled off a couple of massive trade proposals this morning that will likely attract a lot of attention with the names mentioned.
Shoenfield indicated that a potential deal would include five young players/prospects in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The list of players in catcher Dalton Rushing, prospects Josue De Paula and Alex Freeland, pitcher Emmett Sheehan, and lefty prospect Jackson Ferris.
This massive haul would completely revamp the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system while depleting the Dodgers’ system quite a bit. But Los Angeles has shown the ability to continually rebuild their minor league affiliates through trades, and MLB’s player draft. But how cool would it be to see Skenes on a playoff contender? He is no doubt one of the best pitchers in the sport, and he’s only been at the big league level for around a year and a half. He is in the midst of a tight Cy Young race with Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
In Shoenfield’s piece, the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers were also included with massive proposals. With the Tigers being “most likely to get it done,” according to the ESPN writer.
Skenes’ Unique Season with the Pirates
Skenes has been a machine this season, racking up 125 strikeouts in 116 innings. He leads the National League in many statistical categories, including ERA with a 1.94 mark, and has 19 starts. So not only is he highly effective, but he’s also durable and able to take the mound every fifth day. His WAR is an astronomical 4.8! Before the All-Star break. It will be either him or Wheeler starting the 2025 All-Star game, but that is yet to be announced.
Now, will this deal really get done? It’s unclear, but Skenes has to be growing frustrated with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ inability to score runs while he is pitching. Skenes has just one recorded win over his last 13 starts, and his ERA in that span is a microscopic 1.72. Skenes could request a trade from within, and there’s a world where it benefits both parties. Despite having Skenes, the Pirates still aren’t contenders, and they’re probably still a few years away. This could increase the chances of the Pirates’ ace being moved either this year or the coming season.
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