Paul Skenes has priceless reaction to an already tired Yankees narrative

Paul Skenes has spent his first three seasons establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in Pittsburgh Pirates history. Somehow, that still is not enough for some people to discuss him without imagining him in a New York Yankees uniform.

Skenes earned his third consecutive All-Star selection after winning the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Award and the 2025 NL Cy Young Award. He has already produced the kind of résumé most pitchers never achieve, and he has repeatedly made it clear that his focus is on bringing winning baseball back to Pittsburgh.

And yet, during All-Star media availability at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Skenes was answering a question when someone nearby loudly announced, “Just got the best interview of all time with Paul Skenes. Future Yankee.”

Skenes turned with a confused expression and delivered the perfect response.

“Who’s that?”

The person responsible was later identified through another video as Caroline Jastremski of House of Highlights. Whatever reaction she hoped to generate, Skenes’ genuine confusion provided a far more memorable moment than another lazy attempt to pander to Yankees fans.

It was also embarrassingly unprofessional. Being credentialed for the MLB All-Star Game is a privilege. Media members receive access that fans and many working journalists would love to have. Using that access to loudly declare an opposing team’s superstar a “future Yankee” while he's speaking with another reporter is not insightful, funny or provocative. It's disrespectful.

Paul Skenes refuses to play along with embarrassingly unprofessional comments from Yankees reporter at All-Star media day

Skenes has already addressed this tired narrative. After winning the Cy Young Award last November, he responded to a rumor that he wanted to play for the Yankees. He shut it down and reiterated his desire to win in Pittsburgh. Still, the speculation continues because too many people cannot comprehend a star player existing outside New York, Los Angeles or another major market.

For much of Skenes’ career, the Pirates’ losing made that narrative easier to push. Pittsburgh did little to convince the baseball world that it could ever build a winner around him. But that excuse is becoming less relevant. The Pirates entered the All-Star break at 50-47, only two games out of an NL Wild Card spot. They've given Skenes something meaningful to pitch for, and the conversation surrounding the organization has begun to shift.

None of that guarantees Skenes will spend his entire career in Pittsburgh. The Pirates will eventually have to prove they're willing to make the enormous financial commitment required to keep him. But there's plenty of time for that discussion later. Skenes is under team control, the Pirates are competing, and he has expressed no desire to leave.

For now, treating Skenes' departure as inevitable is not analysis. It's wish casting from people who believe every great player ultimately belongs to the Yankees. Skenes’ reaction said everything necessary about the latest attempt.

Who’s that, indeed?

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