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.
The Pirates have no intention to trade Skenes, way off his usually brilliant game Opening Day in Queens, in the foreseeable future. But they also have little hope to sign him long term under current rules since he’ll probably be a $50 million-a-year pitcher assuming a payroll cap isn’t implemented. So expect the Yankees to circle back if they ever detect even a glimmer of an opening.
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. Schlittler and Ben Rice are the young players most coveted by other teams, and in at least all other instances, the Yankees have been super protective of them.
True or not, some Yankees people see hope well down the road since Skenes’ girlfriend, model and gymnast Livvy Dunne, lives in New York. The Yankees originally were energized last summer by reports Dunne tried to buy Babe Ruth’s Upper West Side apartment, which is likely an interesting coincidence.
