Paul Skenes Denies Yankees Trade Rumors, Reaffirms Commitment to Pirates After Cy Young Win

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, fresh off unanimously winning the 2025 NL Cy Young Award and the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, vehemently denied a recent report suggesting he desired a trade to the New York Yankees. Speaking on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Skenes called the report "obviously, not true" and expressed frustration, stating he has "unfinished business in Pittsburgh" and wants to lead the team's turnaround. Despite the Pirates finishing last in the NL Central in his first two seasons, Skenes remains motivated by the prospect of winning with the club. The two-time All-Star posted an MLB-best 1.97 ERA in 2025, a hundredth of a point higher than his 1.96 ERA in 2024, marking the lowest ERA by a Pirates starter with at least 140 innings since 1916. He also became the first qualified pitcher aged 23 or younger to achieve a sub-2.00 ERA since Dwight Gooden in 1985, solidifying his status as a generational talent committed to Pittsburgh.