Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal win Cy Young Awards as trade rumors swirl around star pitchers

Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal were named the National and American League Cy Young Award winners respectively on Wednesday capping off their terrific seasons and kickstarting what could be a whirlwind offseason for both star MLB pitchers Skenes became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win the National League Rookie of the Year and then the National League Cy Young Award The Pittsburgh Pirates flamethrower led the majors with a ERA He struck out batters CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COMSkubal became the th pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards as he maintained his dominance in the Detroit Tigers rotation He led the American League with a ERA and struck out batters Pittsburgh finished the year - and last in the National League Central division Detroit was - and earned an American League Wild Card spot but lost in the American League Division Series to the Seattle Mariners While the present chances are low both Skenes and Skubal have been major names in transaction rumors as the MLB offseason has gotten underway Skenes was linked to the New York Yankees in a statement from NJ Advance Media A former Pirates teammate of Skenes reportedly reported the outlet that the pitcher was hoping for a transaction before he becomes a free agent in Trust me he wants to play for the Yankees the teammate reported NJ Advance Media I ve heard him say it multiple times Pirates general manager Ben Cherington reported he dismissed the notion that Skenes demanded to be traded but explained I understand it MLB FREE AGENCY RUMORS BUZZ METS TARGETING BELLINGER DODGERS IN ON WILLIAMS What we re going to focus on is just how do we win games with him in a Pirates uniform he added I have a ton of respect for the Yankees but we ll just focus on what we need to do The Los Angeles Angels being a probable destination was also mentioned in the review given that he was born in Fullerton California and a fan of the gang when he was younger He may not exactly be shopped around but teams in search of pitching help with deep farm systems may offer the Pirates a Godfather deal the unit won t be able to refuse Skenes bargain value may never be as high as it is right now Cherington vowed however that Skenes would be with the Pirates in It s consistently respectful Teams have to ask the question right Cherington commented via MLB com I suspect that won t end But the answer has been consistent Paul Skenes is going to be a Pirate in As for Skubal the Tigers were reportedly keeping the door open for a probable deal for him The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have already been mentioned as prospective suitors The Tigers will at least listen to offers on Skubal but would have to be blown away by a deal according to USA The present day Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg noted Wednesday that he won t reveal whether Skubal or any other Tigers players have been mentioned in commerce talks according to the MLB Configuration Wilder things certainly have happened in the MLB offseason and the winter meetings haven t even started yet Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter