NEW YORK — It’s hard to fathom that an entire year has gone by since Paul Skenes made his highly anticipated major league debut at PNC Park, stepping onto the mound amid the overcast Pittsburgh skies.
On that notable day, excitement buzzed through the crowd as Skenes prepared to showcase his talents, but he struggled to find his footing. Perhaps the enormity of the moment proved too much; he battled with his control and ended up allowing three runs over four challenging innings against the Chicago Cubs. Nonetheless, observers could sense a spark of hope—a potential turning point for a franchise that longed for renewed vigor. With the right offensive support, whether from homegrown talent or strategic free-agent signings, a promising future seemed just within reach. A new era of Pirates baseball appeared to be on the horizon.
Fast forward a year, and Skenes has undoubtedly risen to the occasion. At merely 22, he has established himself as one of baseball’s premier starting pitchers. Since that initial rough outing, he has made 31 starts, striking out 216 batters over 183 and two-thirds innings, all while maintaining an impressive 2.06 ERA—the best in all of Major League Baseball for that span. His star shone brightly during the 2024 All-Star Game, and he secured the NL Rookie of the Year award, finishing third in the NL Cy Young voting as well.
Given his youth, remarkable statistics, and the fact that the Pirates have him under team control for 4.5 more years, Skenes is widely regarded as the most coveted starting pitcher in the game today.
In a recent matchup against the Mets, Skenes displayed some inconsistencies but stepped up during critical moments. By the time the Pirates summoned their bullpen, he had completed six solid innings, allowing just one run.
However, despite his stellar outing, the Pirates faced defeat, marking the fourth time this season where Skenes’ impressive performance was overlooked due to lackluster offensive support.
When questioned about how limited run production affects a pitcher’s mentality, new manager Don Kelly shared an encouraging perspective.
“The real challenge in baseball is to stay true to yourself and not let external pressure alter your performance,” he noted. “I hope our pitchers retain that focus—attacking hitters as they would under any circumstances.”
Yet the reality for Skenes and his fellow pitchers is far more complicated. Staying composed can be quite difficult, especially as losses accumulate. Currently sitting at the bottom of the league in scoring, the Pirates’ lineup feels more like a floundering entity than a potent offensive threat. Outside of the injured Oneil Cruz, who has struggled, there is a noticeable lack of star power. While some competent players are part of the roster, “competence” alone won’t drive victories or championships. In that crucial game at Citi Field, it was evident that the difference-makers were largely absent from the Pirates’ lineup.
The team currently holds a disheartening 14-28 record, making them the third-worst in the league. As of May 12, they trail playoff contention by a troubling 10.5 games. Just last week, the organization faced a tough decision and parted ways with manager Derek Shelton, who had been at the helm since 2020. With a promising starting rotation hampered by a lack of offensive production, the Pirates’ batting order seems stuck in a precarious state, caught between the now and a hopeful future, while a growing gap threatens to widen beneath them.
Amid ongoing losses, an unsettling question has taken root within the franchise, provoking discussions in local bars and fan circles: Should the Pirates contemplate trading Paul Skenes?
The reasoning behind such a trade raises compelling points:
1. If the current roster cannot muster the offensive capability to transform the Pirates into true playoff contenders by 2025…
2. And if no promising offensive prospects are on the imminent horizon for PNC Park… (While Termarr Johnson, the fourth overall pick in 2022, shows promise, he has largely flown under the radar on most Top 100 prospect lists. Current buzz centers around 19-year-old outfielder Konnor Griffin, projected to reach the MLB by 2028 or 2029.)…
3. And if we don’t foresee this ownership group increasing spending on free agents anytime soon…
4. Then the idea of a Skenes-led renaissance might sadly become a “what might have been” scenario.
Given this backdrop, one might consider following the model of the Nationals, who traded star Juan Soto. The strategy would be to exchange Skenes with a contender for a wealth of prospects, hoping they develop into the next generation of core players. Considering the unpredictable nature of pitchers, Skenes’ value may never be higher than it is at present—better to capitalize on his potential than risk watching it fade.
However, such deliberations remain hypothetical. Trading away the team’s ace early in his career could deal a devastating blow, alienating loyal Pirates fans for years to come. Unlike the Nationals, who had the cushion of a recent championship, Pittsburgh lacks that safety net.
Moreover, Skenes represents a financial asset—a player who draws fans, boosts merchandise sales, and generates excitement on the field. This is likely music to the ears of team owner Bob Nutting, often seen as a steward of the franchise’s finances. The Pirates previously traded another former No. 1 overall pick, Gerrit Cole, but that came after five seasons; it’s premature for GM Ben Cherington to consider such drastic moves regarding Skenes at this point.
Crucially, the path to contention hinges on a squad led by Skenes, built upon a solid foundation of pitching and defense while managing to score just enough runs. With talents like Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and Bailey Falter already in the mix—along with promising prospects such as Bubba Chandler, Thomas Harrington, Braxton Ashcraft, and Hunter Barco—the future still has potential.
While rival fanbases might view the Pirates’ struggles as an opportunity for their own benefit, that perspective seems not only misguided but perhaps hasty as well. Skenes may not remain in Pittsburgh indefinitely, but for now, he is a crucial part of the franchise’s future.
For the time being, all Skenes can do is block out the distractions and maintain his composure amidst the struggles of his offense.
