While the Yankees are steadily reducing the gap with the table-topper Blue Jays, riding on their recent surge, let’s not forget that their pitching is still on the verge of collapse. Yes, Luis Gil is back, and Max Fried and Cam Schlittler are putting their hearts out. But the team ERA is still ranked 18th. Certainly, that’s not something a playoff-bound team should have. And here comes their need for a reliable arm.

Reportedly, the Yankees reached out to the Pirates about a potential trade for Paul Skenes, the NL Cy Young favorite. But Pittsburgh quickly shut that down, even though New York was reportedly willing to put top prospects Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. on the table. That said, this probably won’t be the last time Skenes’ name comes up in connection with the Yankees.

Yes, they didn’t land him at the deadline, but he’s still very much on their radar. The catch? They’ll have to battle with a few heavy hitters, who are all eyeing him, too.

“For his part, anywhere would be better than Pittsburgh if Skenes values winning games and raising his profile. The New York Yankees are unsurprisingly interested, and one can just as easily imagine him ending up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, or Chicago Cubs,” Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer said.

Ahh, did we not expect that someone like Paul Skenes would not attract suitors?

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In the 2025 season with the Pirates, Skenes boasted a 2.03 ERA, 209 SOs (3rd most in MLB), and a 0.96 WHIP (4th in MLB). These numbers just feel more stunning because Skenes is just in his second year in MLB. Hence, with age on his side and such numbers, it’s very much expected that the top teams would pursue Skenes.

Well, the Dodgers got space for Skenes as Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement. And the Mets are coping with Kodai Senga’s struggle. Hence, they are in the front row to get their hands on Skenes, only if the Pirates agree. As previously said, the Pirates are hell bent on not trading Skenes. However, as per Rymer, “The question now is how much more time can pass before the Bucs have no choice but to start listening when other teams reach out.”

The Yankees might have their hands on Skenes sooner or later

No, the Pirates are not releasing Skenes anytime soon, but the time is ticking. Skenes is going to be arbitration-eligible in 2027. And by that time, he will be expensive than most of the team could afford.

And let’s be very honest here, the Pirates don’t have the deep pockets of big-market clubs like the Yankees, Dodgers, or Mets. When Skenes eventually becomes eligible for arbitration and, later, free agency, his price tag could soar into record-breaking territory ($44 million AAV as per The Athletic). And if you know the Pirates, they have rarely been able to match those kinds of contracts.

And here is when the Yankees and other suitors’ patience will get tested. Skenes is one of the elite pitchers on the roster currently. And he is on his way to getting his Cy Young Award this year. Hence, he would always prefer to be with a winning team. Moreover, with the cash-rich suitors ready to break their bank, Pirates’ owner Bob Nutting is just about to get ready to release Skenes.

But that shouldn’t be expected to happen anytime sooner.