The Boston Red Sox and their bitter rivals the New York Yankees are perpetually intertwined, even during the offseason. The vitriol between these two franchises was renewed in October as they met for a three game Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium, which the Sox unfortunately lost.
Beyond the win-loss column and postseason bragging rights, there's plenty of animosity to be found in the rivalry's many subplots, including former pinstripes-wearing Aroldis Chapman's hilarious hatred of the Yankees' entire organization. Fans of both clubs continue to trade barbs, too, with a Paul Skenes-themed episode serving as the most recent example.
Red Sox fans took the impossible-to-resist opportunity to mock Yankees fans who actually believed in their heart of hearts that the latest Skenes-Yankees trade rumors (though unfounded and absurd) were totally true.
In a story that was almost certainly completely fabricated (by someone), NJ.com's Randy Miller reported that Skenes has a desire to play for the Yankees, citing an anonymous teammate of Skenes's on the Pirates who allegedly said: "Trust me he wants to play for the Yankees. I've heard him say it multiple times."
Skenes has since responded to the report, declaring that it is false and saying, "I'm on the Pirates," per Colin Beazley of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The fans are hungry to have a winner in Pittsburgh. And I want to be a part of the group that did that."
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington buried the rumors even further during the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, declaring unequivocally that Skenes isn't going anywhere before next season.
Red Sox fans mock Yankees fans who actually believed the outrageous Paul Skenes rumors
Who would’ve guessed he would’ve been in the comments pic.twitter.com/ydZsvnjp1P
— Unbiased Red Sox Fan (@unbiasedsoxfan) November 12, 2025
With certain Yankees fans in their feelings over the squashed rumors, Red Sox fans took full advantage. X user @unbiasedsoxfan reposted the original rumor and made fun of Yankees-leaning user @RangerApologist for their comment, "If yankees get him it’s over for everyone".
Apparently, @RangerApologist (as in Texas Rangers) has been known to rile up non-Yankees fans with some controversial takes. In this instance, Red Sox fans took the opportunity to clown the account for an objectively embarrassing perspective on the Skenes rumors.
Even with the Skenes shenanigans in the rearview, don't expect Yankees and Red Sox fans to be exchanging pleasantries online anytime soon. There are more subplots brewing, such as Devin Williams potentially donning a Red Sox uniform in 2026. Stay tuned.