GM of Pirates discusses potential trades involving Paul Skenes, the team's star pitcher
PITTSBURGH'S STRUGGLES: PIRETTES REMAIN RESOLVED NOT TO TRADE ACE PAUL SKENES
Pittsburgh, PA – Amidst a challenging season filled with managerial changes, low-scoring games, and a struggling offense, the Pittsburgh Pirates have maintained one unwavering decision – keeping their ace, Paul Skenes.
As the team found itself already 11 games out of the playoff race, questions arose regarding the potential trade of Skenes, with a club that appears to be lacking in impactful position-player prospects. However, general manager Ben Cherington clarified in a recent statement, "No, it's not part of the conversation at all."
The Pirates' offence has struggled significantly, ranking last or near the bottom in nearly every major category, including runs, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, and batting average. Despite a 5-run outburst in an 8-5 loss to Milwaukee a few hours after Cherington's statement – a rare instance in their 27-game streak of scoring 4 runs or fewer – the Pirates have consistently struggled to capitalize on the opportunities they create.
One key reason behind the Pirates' resolve to hold onto Skenes is his status as a generational talent and cornerstone for the franchise's future. Skenes, a 22-year-old phenom, has already distinguished himself as one of the league's most valuable prospects. Locked under team control for the remainder of the decade, he remains one of the biggest bargains in Major League Baseball.
Apart from his talent and contractual advantages, the Pirates have expressed a commitment to building a competitive roster around Skenes. The team has invested in players like Oneil Cruz, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler, who have the potential to form a strong nucleus.
The Pirates' financial constraints are well-known, with an opening day payroll of just under $88 million, placing them among the stingier teams in MLB. Even so, the Pirates have received little return on their investment. Despite a solid starting rotation featuring Skenes, Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter, the team combines for a dismal 11-21 record. The issue has been a punchless lineup that offers little more than Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, and Oneil Cruz.
The Pirates possess a deep pool of pitching prospects, including Bubba Chandler and Mike Burrows, but the cupboard of homegrown position players is rather bare. Catcher Henry Davis, the top overall pick in the 2021 draft, remains a work in progress, and key prospects like Nick Gonzales and Termarr Johnson are still years away.
GM Ben Cherington remains optimistic that the major league team will start turning the corner over the remaining games, with Skenes slated to play a significant role. "Let's play better baseball, and that's going to lead to winning more games," Cherington said.
- In the midst of a challenging season, the Pirates are looking beyond trading ace Paul Skenes, focusing instead on building a competitive roster around him with investments in players like Oneil Cruz, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler.
- Despite their financial constraints, the Pirates consider Paul Skenes an invaluable asset, given his status as a generational talent and one of the league's most valuable prospects, making him a significant bargain in Major League Baseball.
