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Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal were named National and American League Cy Young winners, respectively, on Wednesday, capping off their incredible 2025 seasons and kicking off what could be a whirlwind offseason for both star MLB pitchers.
Skence became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win the National League Rookie of the Year award and then the National League Cy Young Award.
Pittsburgh Pirates Flamethrower led the Majors with a 1.97 ERA, striking out 216 batters.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore on July 12, 2025. (Daniel Kitchin Jr/Imagn images)
Skubal became the 12th pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards, continuing his dominance in the tournament. Detroit Tigers' rotation. He led the American League with a 2.21 ERA and struck out 248 batters.
Pittsburgh finished the season 71–91 and finished last in the National League Central Division. Detroit had an 87–75 record and earned a spot in the American League, but lost in the American League Division Series to the Seattle Mariners.
Although the odds are slim, Skenes and Skubal have been mentioned in trade rumors as Major League Baseball offseason went into action.
Skence was linked to the New York Yankees in a report New Jersey Advance Media. Skenes' former Pirates teammate reportedly told the outlet that the pitcher is “hoping to get traded” before he becomes a free agent in 2029.
“Trust me, he wants to play for the Yankees,” a teammate told NJ Advance Media. “I heard him say that several times.”
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said he rejected the idea that Skens wanted to be traded, but said, “I understand that.”
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skeens comes out of the bullpen before a game against the Athletics at PNC Park on September 21, 2025. (Charles LeClair/Imagn Images)
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“What we're going to focus on is how we can win games with him in a Pirates uniform,” he added. “I have a lot of respect for the Yankees, but we’ll just focus on what we need to do.”
The Los Angeles Angels were also mentioned in the report as a possible destination, given that Skenes was born in Fullerton, California, and rooted for the team in his youth.
He may not be highly drafted, but teams looking for help developing deep farm systems could offer the Pirates a “Godfather” deal the team can't refuse. Skenes' trading value may never be as high as it is now.
However, Cherington vowed that Skeens will be on the Pirates' roster in 2026.
“It's always respectful. Teams have to ask the question, right?” Cherington said: via MLB.com. “I suspect this will not end. But the answer was consistent.
“Paul Skeens will become a pirate in 2026.”
As for Skubal, the Tigers were reportedly keeping the door open to a potential trade for him. Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox have already been mentioned as potential suitors.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers precedes a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland. (Grace Hoppel/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skeens walks to the bench after the top of the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins on July 11, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abby Parr)
According to the Tigers, they will “at least listen” to proposals for Skubal, but the deal should surprise them. USA today.
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Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg said Wednesday he would not reveal whether Skubal or other Tigers players were mentioned in trade talks, according to a report Major League Baseball Network.
Wilder things have certainly happened in the MLB offseason, and the winter meetings haven't even started yet.
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