Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Writer Suggests Shocking Paul Skenes Trade To St. Louis

Should the Pirates entertain the idea of trading Paul Skenes or are the rumors just that?
Zach Pressnell|
May 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals have been unfortunate enough to be in the same division as superstar pitcher Paul Skenes. While the Cardinals have already seen some success against Skenes, the young righty is only going to get better with age and experience. Playing in the same division as the superstar flamethrower is a nightmare come to life.

But there's a chance the Pirates look to trade him in the near future. In fact, the rumors are already swirling.

Cliff Williams of Redbird Rants recently suggested the wild idea that the Cardinals could look to land Skenes in a huge trade this season.

"A package of Wetherholt, Mathews/Hence, Herrera/Pages, Burleson, and Robberse would be equal to if not better than the five packages Bowden came up with," Williams wrote. "A starting staff made up of some combination of Skenes, Gray, Liberatore, McGreevy, Mathews/Hence, Graceffo, and Hjerpe would not be bad at all. Also, the Cardinals could get aggressive, spend some of the money they saved this year, and sign one of the top free-agent pitchers this offseason. Dylan Cease, anyone?"

While the potential trade package being mentioned by Williams is as fair of an offer as we might see suggested, it makes zero sense.

First and foremost, I don't think the Pirates are even considering the idea of trading Skenes during the pre arbitration portion of his contract. It makes no sense. The Pirates are paying him way less than he's worth at this point.

Secondly, if the Pirates entertain the idea of dealing him away, there's an even lower chance they consider a deal within the National League Central.

Trading Skenes would be a nightmare anyway, but it would be even worse to send him to a division rival. This would force the Pirates to face him multiple times a season for years to come.

It makes no sense. Skenes likely won't be traded to the Cardinals under any circumstances.

More MLB: MLB Writer Suggests Struggling Cardinals Star Could Be Heating Up

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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