​Watch Paul Skenes react to reporter loudly calling him a ‘future Yankee’ at MLB Home Run Derby originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Paul Skenes is a long way off from free agency, and the Pirates have something to play for after entering the All-Star break. Still, the speculation about his future won’t go away.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRepresenting the Pirates at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner was predictably popular at Monday’s media availability — and he found himself on the receiving end of one awkward comment.When one reporter called Skenes a “future Yankee,” the Pirates ace was as confused as everyone around him.Here’s a look at how Skenes reacted.MORE:Complete MLB All-Star Game rostersWhile listening to a question from another reporter at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Skenes heard a reporter awkwardly say, “Just got the best interview of all time with Paul Skenes. Future Yankee.””Who’s that?” a baffled Skenes said, smiling. Known to be a man of few words, that was all he had to say on the subject, but Skenes’ visible confusion summed up the moment.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll-Star media availability is known to attract some unusual questions, with players getting a few days off from meaningful games and able to have fun during the break, but this reporter’s comment raised a few eyebrows on Monday.MORE: Who has the most All-Star appearances in MLB history?The identity of the reporter who called Skenes a “future Yankee” still isn’t known, though a woman’s voice can be heard making the comment.Skenes is set to become a free agent after the 2029 season, so he has three more years under contract with the Pirates beyond 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSkenes was called up in May 2024 and would have been under team control through 2030 if not for his Rookie of the Year win in 2024, as a top-two finish under current rules guarantees that a player’s rookie season counts as a full year of service time.Skenes’ future has been the subject of speculation since he debuted because the Pirates rarely hand out sizable contracts and, as one of the best pitchers of this era, he might simply price the franchise out.While Skenes could leave as early as the fall of 2029 as a free agent, his future is such a popular talking point because the Pirates would have to trade him even earlier than that if they wanted to recoup some value for their ace.