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Paul Skenes Wins Unanimous NL Cy Young as Pirates, Ace Reject Yankees Trade Rumor

The club affirmed he will be a Pirate in 2026, reflecting Skenes’ stated goal to win in Pittsburgh.

Overview

  • At 23, Skenes led MLB with a 1.97 ERA and struck out 216 in 187 2/3 innings, receiving all 30 first-place votes.
  • He is the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win Rookie of the Year and then a Cy Young in consecutive seasons.
  • An NJ Advance Media story quoted an anonymous teammate saying Skenes wants the Yankees, a claim Skenes rejected on his Cy Young call.
  • General manager Ben Cherington said, “Paul Skenes is going to be a Pirate in 2026,” and Skenes is under team control through 2029.
  • His award-night celebration drew broad attention through Olivia Dunne’s social posts as outside chatter about the Pirates’ long-term spending continued.