The New York Yankees are building steam in their push for a second consecutive American League pennant, having won six of their last eight games to create a 3.5-game cushion over the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. However, despite the recent success, the team’s starting rotation remains a weak spot — largely due to a string of injuries.
While the rotation’s collective 3.73 ERA ranks sixth in the American League — a respectable mark — much of that success is thanks to Max Fried. The 31-year-old lefty has been everything the Yankees hoped for after signing him to an eight-year, $218 million deal. In nine starts, Fried leads the AL with six wins and tops all of MLB with a dominant 1.11 ERA.
Carlos Rodón has also been solid with a 3.29 ERA, but beyond those two, the rest of the rotation has struggled, with no other starter posting an ERA below 4.61.
Amid those concerns, speculation is growing around a potential trade that could give the Yankees’ rotation a significant boost — one centered on Pirates ace Paul Skenes. ESPN’s Jeff Passan fueled the rumors during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, hinting that Pittsburgh could be open to moving their 22-year-old phenom.
Passan acknowledged that while the Pirates might want to keep Skenes due to a promising crop of young talent, he also admitted there’s a strong case for trading him while his value is sky-high. “It’s a tough truth,” Passan said. “But you can argue it’s the best move for their future.”
Naturally, the Yankees have emerged as a top destination. Esteban Quiñones of Pinstripes Nation noted Thursday that New York may already be eyeing Skenes as their next elite arm.
“The Yankees’ never-ending search for top-tier pitching may now revolve around Paul Skenes,” Quiñones wrote. “As the Pirates head into yet another rebuild, trade chatter around their franchise pitcher is only getting louder — especially from Yankees fans.”
Further intensifying the buzz, Skenes himself recently voiced his frustration with the Pirates’ performance following the dismissal of manager Derek Shelton.
“We’ve got to grow,” he said. “If we don’t, this season’s a complete waste.”
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