Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates Near Blockbuster Paul Skenes Trade

Paul Skenes, the young phenom pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is at the center of intense trade speculation as the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches. Despite being under contract through 2030 and considered untouchable by the Pirates, multiple sources highlight blockbuster offers from top teams like the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, reflecting his elite status with a league-leading 2.01 ERA and high bWAR. Detroit’s proposed trade package, featuring top prospects such as Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle, is seen as the most realistic and potentially transformative for the Pirates, who continue to struggle despite Skenes’ dominance. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ offer includes top prospects and young MLB talent but would require cautious consideration given the magnitude of the deal. Adding Skenes to the Tigers, alongside their own star Tarik Skubal, could create a formidable postseason rotation and position Detroit as a strong World Series contender. However, the Pirates' reluctance to trade their star, who remains a key draw for fans, means these offers may remain hypothetical unless Pittsburgh opts to rebuild via a major trade.