LAS VEGAS -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will not trade Paul Skenes this offseason, general manager Ben Cherington reiterated Tuesday, quashing any simmering speculation about the ace right-hander possibly being moved and altering Major League Baseball's landscape.

Cherington said he has regularly received inquiries from clubs regarding Skenes' availability and said the conversations are always short.

"The question gets asked, and it's always respectful," Cherington said at the MLB general managers meetings. "Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won't end. But the answer's been consistent."

The question keeps surfacing because Skenes, just two seasons into his major league career, is arguably the best pitcher in the sport at just 23 years old, and the Pirates have failed to bui

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