Kid Collector Rejects Pirates’ Insane Trade Offer for Rare Paul Skenes Card!
An 11-year-old from Los Angeles has declined a once-in-a-lifetime trade offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a unique baseball card featuring NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. The one-of-a-kind card, which includes Skenes’ autograph and a patch from a game-worn jersey, will now head to auction in March, Topps announced Friday.
The Pirates’ offer included 30 years of behind-home-plate season tickets at PNC Park, a chance to play softball on the field, and even a luxury suite experience with Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, during one of his starts. Despite the enticing deal, the young collector opted to auction the card instead.
Fanatics Collect, which will oversee the auction, plans to donate proceeds to fire relief efforts in Los Angeles. The card is expected to fetch a hefty sum, given Skenes’ stellar debut season. The 2023 first overall draft pick made an immediate impact, earning NL All-Star Game starting pitcher honors, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, and placing third in Cy Young voting.
The Pirates expressed disappointment on social media but invited the fan to attend a game during the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Skenes said his focus remains on helping Pittsburgh contend in 2025, brushing off questions about a long-term contract. The 22-year-old pitcher is under team control until 2029, with a bright future ahead.