The one Paul Skenes trade package from MLB insider Pirates should actually consider

Paul Skenes has quickly emerged as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. Through his first 35 career games, he has allowed just 47 earned runs at just 22 years old. The Pirates were very lucky to land him in 2023, but growing trade speculation may make his time in Pittsburgh come to end sooner than it should.

Former GM and current MLB Insider Jim Bowden put together five trade packages the Pirates should consider, despite fervent word from inside the house that Skenes is not up for grabs. Out of the five proposals, one in particular deserves a closer look.

Ben Cherington recently shot down the trade rumors involving Skenes, but words only mean so much. Like always, the Pirates will likely listen to whatever other teams have to offer, regardless of the player. If the deal proposed is anything like the hefty package that Bowden just dropped, featuring some of the Dodgers' very best, then Pittsburgh should give it serious consideration.

Pirates should consider Jim Bowden's proposed Paul Skenes trade package involving the Dodgers

Bowden's package from Los Angeles included four players, featuring Dalton Rushing, Andy Pages, Jackson Ferris, and Landon Knack. The first two are hitters that would jump right into the Pirates' lineup. The last two are pitchers, and Knack would join the rotation, while Ferris would probably wait to get called up until the middle of 2026.

Rushing is the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect and 15th in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. He recently made his major league debut after Austin Barnes' DFA. Given his powerhouse bat, it's likely he will eventually get things going in the majors, and could be a foundational piece to the Pirates' lineup. He would be the best hitting prospect in the organization and could be used in various ways defensively. Rushing is primarily a catcher, and has also seen time at first base and left field.

Pages is a more established major leaguer and has already generated a 1.7 fWAR. That would be the highest in Pittsburgh upon Skenes' departure. His wRC+ at 116 and a .772 OPS would really boost the Pirates' lineup. He would slide right into the outfield, alongside Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds for a solid trio.

Knack would not make up for the lost production from Skenes by any means, yet he could throw solid innings in the back of the rotation. Through 98.1 career innings, Knack has posted a 4.12 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a 8.59 K/9. He is 27 years old, and could give the Pirates solid innings long-term, along with many others in the pitching lab this organization has built up.

Concluding this package is Ferris, a left-handed prospect who has the stuff to be a front-end starter. He is still in Double-A, and a promotion to the next level should happen later this season. So far this season, Ferris has generated a 3.32 FIP to go with a 5.45 ERA and 10.40 K/9. He has struggled with control, and if he figures out consistent strikes, he could turn into one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. He is already the 63rd-best prospect, and a little development could really shoot him up.

This package could be franchise-changing to the Pirates. It would be nearly impossible to replace a player like Skenes, yet Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller are each options to lead a rotation. It seems like money will prevent Pittsburgh from building around Skenes, so cheaper alternatives might be the answer to building a winning squad.

Bowden's package may not even be enough for the Dodgers to acquire Skenes. Still, though, that package could seriously change the trajectory of this franchise, given how the Pirates have decided to handle the team in this Skenes window.