The Boston Red Sox, currently trailing the New York Yankees by four games in the AL East, may consider a bold trade to close the gap. During a recent segment on The Pat McAfee Show, MLB insider Jeff Passan suggested that the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider trading their young ace, Paul Skenes particularly if they don’t see a long-term deal happening.
“If they know they won’t be able to sign him long-term, they should move him,” Passan said. He pointed to the Pirates’ lack of commitment and resources to build a competitive team as reasons why Skenes might not want to extend his stay in Pittsburgh.
Should the Pirates make Skenes available, numerous teams would likely line up with strong offers. One proposed deal from analyst Jim Riley would send Skenes to Boston in exchange for a significant package of talent:
Red Sox receive:
- Paul Skenes
Pirates receive:
- Marcelo Mayer (MLB No. 8 prospect)
- Franklin Arias (MLB No. 57 prospect)
- Luis Perales (Red Sox No. 4 prospect)
- Brayan Bello
The price would be steep, but the reward could be massive. Skenes, already one of the league’s top pitchers, boasts a 2.63 ERA and 53 strikeouts this season. He earned National League Rookie of the Year honors and an All-Star selection last year, when he posted a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts.
Although the Pirates would prefer to retain him, their inability to build a contending roster makes Skenes’ long-term commitment unlikely. With free agency looming in 2030, Pittsburgh could follow the example of the Nationals’ Juan Soto trade which has already paid off through key players like James Wood, C.J. Abrams, and MacKenzie Gore.
For Boston, acquiring Skenes could be the game-changing move they need to leap ahead in the AL East race.
