Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has opened up on hearing his name mentioned in trade speculation.

Paul Skenes is only in his second big-league season, but the Pittsburgh Pirates phenom has already been floated in trade speculation.

Given that Skenes plays for the Pirates, that's something he should come to expect, but the fact that the two-time All-Star — who is under team control through 2029 — has heard the chatter so quickly is definitely jarring.

Back at the trade deadline, some wondered if Skenes could potentially be on the move, but Pittsburgh ultimately held onto the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. Will trade conjecture resurface in the offseason, though?

During an appearance on the On Base With Mookie Betts podcast, Skenes was asked if the trade conjecture has bothered him, and he provided a blunt answer.

"No, because I knew it wasn't true," Skenes said. "That's pretty much why. If there is some truth to it, maybe I'll feel a little bit different, but this year, I knew it wasn't happening."

The two operative words there are "this year."

It's entirely possible that the Pirates could field offers for Skenes at next year's trade deadline if things continue to go south for them (and it's hard to see a way out right now).

Pittsburgh would surely be able to bring in a gargantuan haul for the right-hander with so many years of club control remaining on his contract, so the Pirates might at least consider it.

Skenes has gone 9-9 with a 2.05 ERA this season, allowing 121 hits while registering 187 strikeouts over 167 innings of work. That follows a rookie campaign in which he logged a 1.96 ERA while surrendering 94 hits and fanning 170 batters across 133 frames.

The 23-year-old is widely viewed as one of the very best pitchers in baseball, and you can bet that rival teams will be placing calls to Pittsburgh this winter to inquire about his availability.

Of course, that does not necessarily mean that the Pirates will move Skenes anytime soon, but that won't stop trade rumors from once again engulfing the former No. 1 overall pick.

Pittsburgh is 63-77 this season and has made the playoffs just three times since 1993.