Everyone and their mother seems to think that Paul Skenes will one day pitch for the New York Yankees. However, the 24-year-old ace does not like the pinstripes.
For now, at least.
Skenes was asked about his outfit at the MLB All-Star Game. It led to yet another hint about his future in the league. Kind of.
Will Paul Skenes pitch for the New York Yankees?
Although his 2026 season has not been as strong as he or his team would like, Paul Skenes is still considered to be one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball— if not the best pitcher in Major League Baseball. The former No. 1 overall pick was named as the National League Rookie of the Year in 2024 after a quick rise through the minors and won the NL Cy Young in 2025.
As a result, Skenes is consistently linked to “better” teams in bigger markets. Does he really want to spend his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates?
The Yankees already made a strong push for Skenes at last year’s trade deadline, with an offer that featured their four highest-rated assets: George Lombard Jr., Cam Schlittler, Carlos Lagrange and Spencer Jones. His current organization refused to listen. Pittsburgh deemed its ace untouchable. He is under contract with the organization until free agency after the 2029 season.
Despite these failed attempts, pundits continue to link Skenes to the Bronx as a trade piece or future free agent. They also think he could consider a team like the Dodgers in his home state of California. Nobody seems to think he will spend his entire career with the Pirates. The team will either ship him elsewhere as part of a never-ending rebuild or he will leave to chase a championship.
Those rumors became the loudest in November when NJ.com quoted an unnamed teammate. The Pittsburgh player said that Skenes has “no confidence the Pirates are going to win” and that he is “hoping for a trade” before free agency in 2030.
“Trust me, he wants to play for the Yankees,” the anonymous teammate said. “I’ve heard him say it multiple times.”
We’ll see. It doesn’t seem like it is going to happen any time soon.
The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher does not like pinstripes.
Paul Skenes did not appreciate the NJ.com article. His lone focus is to win a championship with the Pirates.
"The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win. There are 29 fanbases that expect us to lose. And I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that."
— Jenna Harner (@JennaHarner11) November 13, 2025
Paul Skenes was asked about the report saying he told teammates he wants to play for NYY. pic.twitter.com/Bhofiz7Z6a
A similar thing happened at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. A reporter said in the background of his media availability session that she just got the “best interview of all-time” with a “future Yankee.” Skenes was baffled by the comment. What did she say?!
Reporter: "Just got the best interview of all time with Paul Skenes. Future Yankee."
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 13, 2026
Paul Skenes: *Confused* 😂 pic.twitter.com/77VD2HSRsl
He gave yet another hint on Tuesday on the red carpet with Olivia Dunne. Maybe.
Carter and Cooper Thomas are the 11-year-old fraternal twins better known as the ‘Twinstripe Reporters.’ They, while wearing pinstripe uniforms, said that their mom dressed them and asked Skenes and his girlfriend about their outfits. Who dressed them?
Skenes dressed himself. Dunne dressed herself off of his color scheme. The Thomases told them both they looked nice. Skenes returned the compliment, minus the pinstripes.
The same guy who supposedly can’t stop talking about his desire to play for the New York Yankees does not like the New York Yankees’ uniform. Interesting…
Maybe it is a smoke screen. Maybe Skenes is only dissing the pinstripes because he does not currently play for a team that wears them. Or, maybe, this is yet another indication that he does not actually want to play for the Bronx Bombers. What do you think?
Let us know in the comment section below!