The Los Angeles Dodgers appear poised to acquire Paul Skenes, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, through a major trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the July 31 deadline. This potential Paul Skenes Dodgers trade highlights the team’s continued ambition to bolster their roster for a strong push toward another World Series title.
Details of the Proposed Trade Between Dodgers and Pirates
According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, the Dodgers are expected to receive right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes in exchange for a package of five players from Pittsburgh. The Pirates would reportedly get catcher/outfielder Dalton Rushing, outfielder Josue De Paula, infielder Alex Freeland, right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan, and left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris.
Major League Baseball ranks De Paula as the 27th top prospect, Freeland at 42nd, and Ferris at 69th, providing the Pirates with three promising talents among the top 70 prospects to fortify their future roster. Freeland is projected to potentially debut this season, while De Paula and Ferris are expected to make their major league debuts around 2026.
Schoenfield explained the reasoning behind the players involved, stating,
“Rushing is blocked at catcher by Will Smith,”
and added that
“he and De Paula probably have more power upside (De Paula has drawn Yordan Alvarez comparisons) than Clark and McGonigle.”
However, he also mentioned a complicating factor:
“The Pirates might, understandably, ask for Roki Sasaki, and that could be the deal-breaker for the Dodgers.”
Paul Skenes’ Current Performance and Value to the Dodgers
Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, currently holds a 4-7 win-loss record with an impressive 1.94 ERA across 116 innings pitched. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 125-30, and he leads all pitchers with a 4.8 bWAR. He is also the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, with FanDuel Sportsbook setting his odds at -140.
Despite being under team control through 2029, speculation has grown that Skenes could eventually move to Los Angeles either via trade or free agency. The Dodgers’ demonstrated yearly commitment to securing championship-caliber talent increases the likelihood of this significant acquisition.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
If completed, this trade could reshape both clubs: the Dodgers gain one of baseball’s elite young pitchers to enhance their rotation, while the Pirates receive a strong influx of promising prospects to accelerate their rebuilding efforts. How the negotiations address the potential involvement of Roki Sasaki remains unclear and may determine the outcome. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the July 31 deadline approaches, with this potential blockbuster deal marking a critical moment for both franchises.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Pirates pull Paul Skenes?
A. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ manager, Derek Shelton, took Skenes out of the game after he threw 99 pitches and achieved 11 strikeouts. Shelton spoke to reporters and stated that he felt it wasn’t difficult to decide to remove Skenes. “Not at all. He was tired,” Shelton explained.
Q. How does Livvy Dunne know Paul Skenes?
A. Famous gymnast Livvy Dunne and her baseball-playing boyfriend, Paul Skenes, are sharing how their popular relationship started at Louisiana State University, where they both studied.
Q. How many days rest does Paul Skenes need?
A. The Pirates will probably include a sixth starting pitcher during busy times in the schedule. This will give Skenes and other pitchers extra rest between games. As he gains experience, Skenes will likely get used to having four days off between his starts.