Paul Skenes addresses trade rumors with conviction
Paul Skenes had every reason to celebrate after clinching his first Cy Young Award, a moment heralded not just for him but for his family and the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. In a franchise where victories have been hard to come by over the past decade, Skenes’ achievement represented a beacon of hope. However, what should have been a day of personal triumph quickly became overshadowed by swirling trade rumors linking him to the New York Yankees.
Reports emerged, notably from Randy Miller of NJ.com, suggesting that an anonymous teammate claimed Skenes had expressed a desire to be traded to New York. This narrative painted a picture of a player disillusioned with the Pirates’ direction, giving rise to speculation about his commitment to the team.
In the wake of these rumors, Skenes took the opportunity to set the record straight during a post-award interview. “I got shown the tweet and got some texts about it. Didn’t think much about it,” he explained, addressing the speculation head-on. His focus, he emphasized, remains firmly with the Pirates.
“My goal is to win with the Pirates,” he asserted with determination. “The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, we’re not supposed to win. There are 29 fan bases that expect us to lose. I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that.”
Skenes’ words reflect not only his personal aspirations but also his desire to shift the narrative surrounding the Pirates. He aims to be part of a transformative journey for a team that has long been mired in mediocrity, striving to prove the doubters wrong and bring a winning culture to Pittsburgh.
In a landscape where player movements often dominate headlines, Skenes stands firm in his commitment to the Pirates, ready to embrace the challenge of changing perceptions and leading his team to victory.
