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Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal were named National and American League Cy Young Award winners, respectively, on Wednesday, capping off their fantastic 2025 seasons and kicking off what could be a whirlwind offseason for both star MLB pitchers.
Skenes became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win the NL Rookie of the Year award and then the NL Cy Young award.
The Pittsburgh Pirates flamethrower led the majors with a 1.97 ERA and struck out 216 batters.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore on July 12, 2025. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)
Skubal became the 12th pitcher to win consecutive Cy Young Awards while maintaining his dominance in the Detroit Tigers’ rotation. He led the American League with a 2.21 ERA and struck out 248 batters.
Pittsburgh finished the year 71-91 and last in the NL Central division. Detroit went 87-75 and earned a wild card berth in the American League, but lost in the American League Division Series to the Seattle Mariners.
While the chances are low, both Skenes and Skubal have been mentioned in trade rumors as the MLB offseason has progressed.
Skenes was linked to the New York Yankees in a report from NJ Advance Media. A former Pirates teammate of Skenes’s reportedly told the outlet that the pitcher was “waiting for a trade” before becoming a free agent in 2029.
“Believe me, he wants to play for the Yankees,” the teammate told NJ Advance Media. “I’ve heard it said several times.”
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said he dismissed the idea that Skenes wanted to be traded, but said, “I understand it.”
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes enters from the bullpen before a game against the A’s at PNC Park on Sept. 21, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
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“What we’re going to focus on is how to win games with him in a Pirates uniform,” he added. “I have a lot of respect for the Yankees, but we’ll focus on what we have to do.”
The Los Angeles Angels were also mentioned in the report as a possible destination given that Skenes was born in Fullerton, California, and was a fan of the team when he was younger.
It may not exactly be an option, but teams looking for pitching help with deep farm systems can offer the Pirates a “godfather” deal that the team won’t be able to refuse. Skenes’ trade value may never be as high as it is now.
Cherington promised, however, that Skenes would be with the Pirates in 2026.
“It’s always respectful. Teams have to ask the question, right?” Cherington said, via MLB.com. “I suspect this won’t end. But the response has been consistent.
“Paul Skenes will be a pirate in 2026”.
As for Skubal, the Tigers were reported to be keeping the door open to a possible deal for him. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have already been mentioned as possible suitors.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland. (Grace Hoppel/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes walks to the dugout after the bottom of the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins on July 11, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The Tigers will “at least listen” to offers on Skubal, but they would have to settle for a deal, according to USA Today.
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Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg said Wednesday that he will not reveal whether Skubal or any other Tigers players have been mentioned in trade talks, according to MLB Network.
Wilder things have certainly happened in the MLB offseason, and the winter meetings haven’t even started yet.
