Paul Skenes doubles down on Yankees denial with perfect All-Star red carpet jab

Paul Skenes has spent much of his young career hearing people speculate about when — not whether — he will eventually leave the Pittsburgh Pirates for a bigger-market team.

The New York Yankees are usually at the center of those conversations. But during All-Star festivities in Philadelphia, Skenes made it clear twice in two days that he is not interested in playing along.

His latest response came during a lighthearted interaction with the Twinstripe Reporters, 11-year-old twin brothers Cooper and Carter Thomas, on the MLB All-Star red carpet Tuesday.

The young social media journalists, who have gained viral popularity interviewing baseball’s biggest stars, asked Skenes and his girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, how they had chosen their red carpet looks. They then told Skenes and Dunne that they "both look really nice," and the Pirates ace returned the compliment.

“You, too!” Skenes said. Then he noticed their Yankees-themed attire.

“Except for the pinstripes.”

It was a playful jab delivered to two kids who proudly wear their Yankees fandom wherever they go. But the timing made the exchange even better.

Paul Skenes refuses to play along with tired Yankees narrative during All-Star festivities

Just one day earlier, Skenes was answering questions at All-Star media day when a reporter nearby declared that he had just conducted “the best interview of all time with Paul Skenes” before adding, “Future Yankee.”

Skenes immediately looked confused and asked, “Who was that?”

The reporter’s comment produced one of the weekend’s strangest viral moments. Skenes’ response was brief, but it perfectly captured how tiresome the constant Yankees speculation has become.

Skenes didn't have to address his future, Pittsburgh’s payroll or whether the Pirates will eventually do enough to keep him. He simply saw pinstripes and took another opportunity to reject them.

The exchange was harmless, funny and perfectly suited for the Twinstripe Reporters, whose youthful enthusiasm often brings out a more relaxed side of the players they interview. Skenes appeared to enjoy the moment, and the twins received exactly the kind of memorable response that has helped them build such a large following.

Still, Pirates fans will appreciate the underlying message.

Skenes can't stop national reporters from imagining him in New York. He can't prevent every Yankees fan from picturing him pitching in the Bronx someday. But he can keep refusing to entertain the narrative.

Two days. Two Yankees references. Two immediate rejections. Skenes may have been smiling on the red carpet, but his answer remained the same: Leave the pinstripes out of it.

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