Red Sox-Pirates trade idea cuts ties with Roman Anthony, others to land Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates are shaping up to be sellers this year and have already fired Derek Shelton. Could the Boston Red Sox inquire about Paul Skenes' availability?

The Pirates, despite how badly they are playing, are likely not going to entertain trading Skenes. He was an All-Star last year and will not be a free agent until 2030. However, they are far from being contenders and could waste Skenes' talent, and simply lose him in free agency. Trading him now, while his value is high, was suggested by MLB insider Jeff Passan during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." Passan noted that the Pirates should trade him, arguably now, if they do not intend to sign him or build a contender around him.

It would take a monster package to get Skenes, but the Red Sox are one of the teams that have the ability to pay the price. They also have the ability to pay him when the time comes. Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer proposed this trade that would bring Skenes to Boston:

• Red Sox receive: Paul Skenes
• Pirates receive: Roman Anthony (MLB No. 1 prospect), Franklin Arias (MLB No.57 prospect) and Luis Perales (Red Sox No. 4 prospect)

"With respect to Arias and Perales, Anthony alone would justify this deal for the Pirates," wrote Rymer. "He's pretty much the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball right now, and his .970 OPS at Triple-A practically screams, 'Nothing left to prove!'"

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The Pirates would be getting three young players to build around in exchange for Skenes. Having an ace is important, but Skenes' last start showed that it's not enough to win every game. Arias, Perales and Anthony would give the Pirates two controllable position players with high upside and a pitcher they can develop into a staple of their rotation.

Skenes was the National League Rookie of the Year last year and looks to be on his way to another All-Star Game this year. Trading him would be a shocking move, and is highly unlikely. Perhaps when he is closer to free agency, the Pirates could consider it, but they may never be able to get more for him than right now, when he has years of control.

More MLB: Dodgers could cut ties with another veteran to call up No.4 prospect