Paul Skenes wearing a Yankees jersey? If he enters the trade market, the Yankees are interested in pursuing him.

Paul Skenes sporting Yankees stripes? MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in his New York Post column that the New York Yankees tried to acquire Skenes prior to last season's trade deadline. While the Pittsburgh Pirates had no intention of letting him go then, the Yankees intend to continue chasing this gifted pitcher down the line.

At 23, Skenes is already a two-time All-Star. Last season, he led the league with a 1.97 ERA over 32 starts, winning the National League Cy Young Award. The year before, he also secured the NL Rookie of the Year honor. This flame-throwing right-hander had an unusually rough outing in today's opener against the Mets, throwing 37 pitches in the first inning and being pulled after securing only two outs. Nonetheless, Skenes remains a top-tier starter in the league, arguably the best pitcher in the National League. The Pirates control his rights until the end of the 2029 season, after which he can become a free agent.

Skenes' girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, lives in New York, though it's unclear if this would be a factor favoring the Yankees' pursuit. He himself hails from Orange County, California, attended the Air Force Academy and Louisiana State University, and currently also has a residence in South Florida.