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Cubs Trade Idea Lands Pirates' Paul Skenes in Blockbuster Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 19, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Some have started to suggest that the Pittsburgh Pirates should trade Paul Skenes. Trading Skenes now would be a ridiculous sign to the fan base that they have no opportunity to compete anytime in the near future.

Skenes hits arbitration in 2027, but isn't a free agent until 2030. Unless he tells the Pirates that he plans to sit out until they move him, there wouldn't be much of a reason for them to consider it.

However, Jeff Passan of ESPN said that teams will be calling about him at the deadline, and if that's the case, the Chicago Cubs need to pick up the phone.

"The truth is, there will be teams that ask about Paul Skenes at the deadline this year, and I don't anticipate that he's going to be moved, but there's a real argument to be made that the best thing for the Pittsburgh Pirates would be to move Paul Skenes while he has the most value," Passan added.

Considering any trade for Skenes, teams would likely have to gut most of their farm system. The Cubs, perhaps more than anyone, have the players in their farm to get a deal done.

If it would require them moving on from all 10 of their top 10 Prospects, it might not be the craziest thing to suggest that the Cubs should get in on it.

Skenes is only 22 years old and looks to be an ace-caliber arm for the next decade. With a 100-plus miles per hour fastball, he could be exactly what Chicago is missing on the bump.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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