As Paul Skenes pitched his way into history this summer, fans and media wondered not if but when the team would trade him. Rumors grew so strong that a team executive insisted there was “no way, no chance, no how” Skenes was moving. GM Ben Cherington echoed that, saying the Pirates “can and will play better.” Yet after back-to-back disappointing seasons, those words did little to calm Pittsburgh’s unease. Burned by history, Pirates fans just watched the calendar, bracing for the inevitable.

But a new report from the GM meetings in Las Vegas gives some hope. The dream of keeping Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh is not dead yet. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that the Pirates and Marlins are signaling a new strategy, suggesting owner Bob Nutting might finally open his wallet. “But what wou

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