Cubs Could Make Stunning Play for Pirates’ Skenes
The Cubs are sitting atop the NL Central but they’re not done yet. Chicago might be eyeing a move that would shock the baseball world — pursuing Pirates phenom Paul Skenes.
Chicago’s rotation has been hit with injuries this season, creating a need for pitching reinforcements. While it seems almost unthinkable, adding the 22-year-old Pirates ace could transform the Cubs from division leaders into legitimate World Series contenders.
The Pirates, meanwhile, remain mired near the bottom of the standings with no clear path to contention in the immediate future.
If Pittsburgh does the unthinkable and puts Skenes on the market, the Cubs have the prospect capital to make it happen. ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett suggests a blockbuster package: Owen Caissie (MLB No. 49), Moises Ballesteros (MLB No. 61), Kevin Alcantara (MLB No. 74), Jefferson Rojas (MLB No. 78), and Juan Cabada (Cubs No. 19) for the superstar right-hander.
“Jon Heyman has already reported that there is a zero percent chance that Skenes gets traded,” Bassett wrote. “That makes sense, too, as the pitcher is a generational talent and still just 22 years old. The Cubs are ready to win now, as they are atop the National League Central standings. They’d likely be willing to spare a bunch of their future talent for even more talent on the big league roster now.”
The Cubs’ pitching depth has been tested this season. Justin Steele is out for the year, while Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad have both missed time with injuries. That’s where consolidating prospects for a true ace makes sense.
What makes this scenario particularly intriguing for Pittsburgh is the potential prospect haul. As Bassett notes: “With five top 100 prospects in their own right, including the second-ranked prospect in baseball, Bubba Chandler, the Pirates would immediately own arguably the deepest farm system ever if they pulled the trigger on this deal.”
Skenes has already established himself as an All-Star and looks every bit the perennial Cy Young candidate many projected. He’s shown elite velocity, command, and poise beyond his years. The Pirates have him under team control for years to come, which is why any trade seems far-fetched.
But that’s the thing about baseball’s trade market — everyone has a price. If the Cubs are willing to empty their farm system for a generational arm, even the most unlikely scenarios become possible.
