Yankees Reportedly Tried to Trade Four Top Prospects for Pirates' Paul Skenes

The Yankees were shut down quickly when they attempted to acquire the star pitcher last season.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:18pm

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According to reports, the New York Yankees tried to trade four of their top prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates in an attempt to acquire star pitcher Paul Skenes at the trade deadline last year. However, the Pirates did not even entertain the Yankees' offer, shutting it down quickly.

Why it matters

The Yankees were looking to bolster their already impressive starting rotation by adding Skenes, one of the top young pitchers in the game. This shows the lengths the Yankees were willing to go to improve their team and compete with the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.

The details

The Yankees were reportedly prepared to offer a package of four top prospects, potentially including Cam Schlittler, George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, and Carlos Lagrange, or possibly others. However, the Pirates did not even listen to the offer, shutting it down immediately.

  • The Yankees tried to acquire Skenes from the Pirates at the trade deadline last July.

The players

Paul Skenes

A star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was the subject of trade rumors last season.

Gerrit Cole

A star pitcher for the New York Yankees.

Max Fried

A star pitcher for the New York Yankees.

Carlos Rodón

A star pitcher for the New York Yankees.

Luis Gil

A pitcher for the New York Yankees.

Cam Schlittler

A top prospect in the Yankees' system who was potentially part of the trade offer for Skenes.

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What they’re saying

“The Yankees, perhaps encouraged by their belief Pirates superstar Paul Skenes might have interest in them (true or not), tried for Skenes at the deadline but were shut down so quickly the Pirates didn't even listen to the offer, sources say.”

— Jon Heyman, New York Post reporter

“Sources say the Yankees were prepared to offer four top prospects last July. It isn't clear who those were, but as of the deadline, their best prospect package might have included some combination of Cam Schlittler (who's now establishing himself as a potential ace), George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones and Carlos Lagrange, or possibly others.”

— Jon Heyman, New York Post reporter

What’s next

The Pirates will likely have to start entertaining offers for Skenes once his club control runs out, as the Yankees are one of the few teams that can afford his salary.

The takeaway

This report shows the lengths the Yankees were willing to go to improve their team and compete with the Red Sox in the AL East, even offering a significant prospect package for one of the game's top young pitchers. It also highlights the Pirates' unwillingness to part with Skenes, even in the face of a substantial trade offer.