Dodgers Predicted to Add Paul Skenes in 6-Player Trade
At this point, the sight of Paul Skenes in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform feels inevitable. Why wouldn't the Dodgers pursue arguably baseball's top pitcher, especially given their proven yearly commitment to winning the World Series?
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Although Skenes is under team control through 2029, that hasn't stopped early speculation about him eventually moving to Los Angeles. The question is whether the Dodgers will acquire Skenes, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, via trade or free agency.
ESPN's David Schoenfield opted for the former on Tuesday morning, suggesting a potential six-player trade between the Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the July 31 deadline.
Dodgers acquire: RHP Paul Skenes
Pirates acquire: C/OF Dalton Rushing, OF Josue De Paula, IF Alex Freeland, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Jackson Ferris
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul SkenesCharles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Major League Baseball currently lists De Paula as the sport's No. 27 prospect, with Freeland not far behind at No. 42. Jackson Ferris is No. 69, theoretically giving the Pirates three top-70 prospects for one player.
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"Rushing is blocked at catcher by Will Smith," Schoenfield argued, "and he and De Paula probably have more power upside (De Paula has drawn Yordan Alvarez comparisons) than Clark and McGonigle."
But?
"The Pirates might, understandably, ask for Roki Sasaki, and that could be the deal-breaker for the Dodgers," Schoenfield wrote.
Skenes is 4-7 with a 1.94 ERA and a 125-30 K-BB ratio in 116 innings. He leads all pitchers with a 4.8 bWAR and is currently a -140 favorite to win the NL Cy Young on the FanDuel Sportsbook.
Major League Baseball projected that Freeland could debut this year, while Ferris and De Paula have 2026 ETAs.
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Related: Hall of Famer Makes Historic Paul Skenes Prediction After Pirates Loss
Related: Yankees End Anthony Volpe Era in Risky Paul Skenes Trade Idea
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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