Pirates GM Sets the Record Straight on Paul Skenes Trade Rumors: What Fans Need to Know

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in a tough spot. After a shaky start, they recently let go of their manager and are now scrambling for options. Yet there’s one player they won’t trade: ace Paul Skenes.

General manager Ben Cherington made that clear when asked if trading the reigning National League Rookie of the Year was up for discussion. His answer? An emphatic “No.”

As the Pirates gear up for their four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, they sit 11 games out of playoff contention. Their struggles show in the stats. The offense ranks last or near the bottom in key categories—runs, slugging percentage, and OPS. In their latest game against the Brewers, despite losing 8-5, the Pirates showed a glimpse of hope, scoring five runs for the first time in 27 games.

However, they also left 10 runners stranded, highlighting a frustrating pattern. During spring training, the buzz was all about progress, but the team’s performance has been disappointing. They’ve been stuck in a rut, even with Skenes on the mound. The Pirates have only won three of his eight starts. In his most recent game, he pitched a complete game against the Phillies but still ended up with a tough 1-0 loss.

Skenes, who turns 23 soon, has quickly become a cornerstone for the team. He’s under contract until 2030 and won’t hit arbitration until after 2026, making him a major asset for Pittsburgh. While they have secured long-term deals for players like Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes, those contracts pale compared to what Skenes could demand if he continues to excel.

The Pirates are known for being budget-conscious, with a payroll of just under $88 million this season—one of the lowest in the league. Despite this, their return on investment has been disappointing. The starting rotation has displayed solid ERAs, but they still struggle to convert that into wins, highlighted by a lackluster offense.

Recent statistics indicate that the Pirates have one of the deeper pools of pitching prospects, including 22-year-old Bubba Chandler and Mike Burrows. However, their lineup lacks homegrown talent. Some promising players, like catcher Henry Davis, are still developing, while others are sidelined with injuries. Cherington noted that they want players from Triple-A to emerge more strongly.

“It’s not enough to just hope for better runs,” he said. “We need to put in the work.”

Cherington remains hopeful for the future, aiming for improvement in the second half of the season. “Let’s just play better baseball,” he said, emphasizing that this approach could turn the tide as they move toward July.

Stay updated on the Pirates and their journey by checking resources like ESPN for stats and analyses.

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