Absolutely crazy Cubs trade speculation would be an all-time blockbuster move

Even before losing Justin Steele for the year and then seeing Shota Imanaga shelved for the time being with a hamstring injury, the Chicago Cubs needed more top-of-the-rotation firepower.

After the price for Max Fried far exceeded expectations, the Cubs pivoted to rotation depth instead, bringing in Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea. Both have been spectacular, far exceeding expectations, but there's still a clear need at the top of the staff.

Why do we bring this up? A recent appearance from national MLB insider Jeff Passan on the Pat McAfee Show is turning heads - because in it, he dug into the idea of the Pittsburgh Pirates shopping ace and reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. Given the Cubs' need for a legitimate ace, well, you can put two and two together here.

"The truth is, there will be teams that ask about Paul Skenes at the deadline this year, and I don't anticipate that he's going to be moved, but there's a real argument to be made that the best thing for the Pittsburgh Pirates would be to move Paul Skenes while he has the most value," Passan added.

The Pirates continue to look like one of the most mismanaged franchises in professional sports, with an ownership group that hasn't authorized a multi-year deal for a free agent since Ivan Nova nearly a decade ago. Given the historic start to Skenes' career, there's little doubt that when he eventually reaches free agency, Pittsburgh won't be a serious suitor.

Pirates shouldn't be in any rush to trade ace right-hander Paul Skenes

There's still time for the Pirates to build around Skenes. He's under team control through the 2029 season, putting the team in a similar position as the Cubs are with Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is under control through 2030. That gives Chicago and Pittsburgh a half-decade to work out extensions or, in this hypothetical situation, trade, their young stars.

Skenes atop the Cubs' rotation for the next five years is the stuff of dreams. But there's no reason to think the Pirates are actively looking to move their face of the franchise. Will they get calls? Sure. But trading Skenes would be the ultimate betrayal of an already long-suffering fanbase - and on the other side of the equation, an interested suitor would have to be willing to unload anything of value in terms of prospects.

In all likelihood, it won't be Skenes added to the Cubs' rotation between now and the July trade deadline. That being said, you can count on Jed Hoyer will focusing on adding an ace in the months to come, giving Chicago a big arm capable of starting games come October.