The Los Angeles Dodgers have unabashedly been talking about a World Series repeat and their garish spending spree only backs that up. But, when the rubber met the road, the Dodgers were faced with the reality of that endeavor. Namely, 14 pitchers on the injured list. And while they are still chugging along toward the top of the standings, the sustainability of this approach is tenuos at best.
Paul Skenes, on the other hand, has already made his mark as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, and he’s only getting started. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick and reigning NL All-Star Game starter owns a blistering 2.44 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and .190 opponent batting average in 2025 — elite numbers that have made the Pittsburgh Pirates ace a generational talent.
But with Pittsburgh floundering at 17–33, having fired manager Derek Shelton and scoring the fewest runs in MLB, speculation is growing — however far-fetched — about Skenes’ future. ClutchPoints recently imagined the unthinkable: a blockbuster trade sending Skenes to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.
ClutchPoints Floats Wild Paul Skenes Trade Proposal to Los Angeles Dodgers
Their proposal? L.A. acquires Skenes, while Pittsburgh receives a haul of top prospects: Dalton Rushing (MLB No. 15), Josue De Paula (No. 33), Jackson Ferris (No. 63), and No. 10 prospect Justin Wrobleski. It’s a bold move — but likely not bold enough.
As ClutchPoints notes, “The Dodgers always seem to get what they want,” and they certainly have the ammo. Despite fielding one of baseball’s most loaded rosters, they still boast five Top 100 prospects and face mounting injuries on the mound. Shohei Ohtani has yet to pitch, and nearly a dozen arms — including Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow — are on the IL. Skenes, alongside Ohtani, could anchor the rotation for a decade.
But make no mistake: Pittsburgh has shown zero willingness to move their ace. As MLB insider Jon Heyman reported, there is “no chance” the Pirates consider dealing Skenes — and given his controllability through 2028, they shouldn’t. For now, the Dodgers may dream, but prying Skenes away would require an unprecedented offer. Even one of baseball’s most aggressive front offices may fall short.