Dodgers Eye Paul Skenes in Bold 4-Player Trade Proposal
As the 2025 MLB trade deadline nears, a bold trade scenario has surfaced involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. The idea: LA could potentially acquire rising pitching star Paul Skenes in a major four-player swap. While the deal is speculative and unlikely according to current team positions, it’s still generating buzz due to its sheer magnitude.
Paul Skenes: MLB’s Breakout Star
Paul Skenes, selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, has quickly made a name for himself as one of baseball’s top young pitchers. After dominating at LSU and helping secure a College World Series title, he signed a record-setting $9.2 million contract with Pittsburgh. Since his 2024 debut, Skenes has delivered elite performances, compiling a 14–8 win-loss record with a 2.12 ERA and 232 strikeouts. His high-velocity fastball and lethal slider have drawn comparisons to greats like Stephen Strasburg and Gerrit Cole.
Pirates’ Current Stance
Despite Skenes’ success, the Pirates continue to struggle in the standings, leading some to question whether they’d consider trading their ace for multiple top-tier prospects. However, Pittsburgh’s general manager, Ben Cherington, has put those rumors to rest—at least for now. He has publicly stated that the team has no interest in moving Skenes, emphasizing the pitcher’s role as a foundational piece of their rebuilding efforts.
Why the Dodgers Would Be Interested
The Dodgers are always in search of elite pitching, especially as they look to solidify their rotation for the postseason. Given their deep talent pool in the minors and a willingness to trade for proven performers, Los Angeles would be an ideal candidate to make a play for someone like Skenes. Acquiring him could stabilize their pitching for years and align with their long-term strategy of balancing veteran talent with young stars.
A Hypothetical 4-Player Deal
If the Pirates ever entertain offers for Skenes, a trade with the Dodgers could look something like this:
– **Dodgers Receive:**
– *Paul Skenes* – A young, dominant starter with ace potential.
– **Pirates Receive:**
– *Bobby Miller* – A highly regarded pitching prospect who could immediately join the Pirates’ rotation.
– *Miguel Vargas* – A promising infielder who brings offensive upside and defensive versatility.
– *Diego Cartaya* – One of baseball’s top catching prospects, offering long-term value behind the plate.
This package would allow the Pirates to restock their roster with three high-upside players who fit into their rebuilding timeline, while the Dodgers would land a franchise-level pitcher.
Final Thoughts
Although a trade of this magnitude remains highly unlikely—especially given the Pirates’ firm stance—such a blockbuster deal could make sense for both franchises under the right circumstances. The Dodgers are in a win-now mode and could afford to part with elite prospects. Meanwhile, if Pittsburgh reconsiders its rebuild strategy, this kind of return might be too good to ignore.
For now, this trade remains nothing more than speculation, but it’s the kind of bold idea that keeps fans intrigued as the trade deadline looms.
