One MLB analyst believes that Paul Skenes’ greatest gift to the Pittsburgh Pirates might be what they get for him in a trade. Already seen as one of the game’s best pitchers, the Pittsburgh ace captivates fans with electric stuff. For the first time in years, the Pirates are must-watch baseball.
When the 22-year-old takes the mound, all eyes are on his ability to make hitters look silly. But when a team has a standout like this, a price tag follows.
Already outgrowing his rookie deal, Skenes will demand a huge contract — one that only a few teams can afford. According to one MLB analyst, the Pirates’ front office needs to make a tough choice now that could pay off later.
MLB All-Star Says Trading Paul Skenes Needs To Happen Sooner Than Later
Skenes carries the weight of the team and city on his shoulders. When Pittsburgh drafted him first overall, it brought joy to the Steel City. Still, for most around the league, a clock started ticking. With all the buzz Skenes has brought, it feels like only a matter of time before he’s traded.
Pittsburgh, as a sports town, is used to success. The Steelers win. So have the Penguins. But the Pirates — the oldest team in town, dating back to 1887 — struggle just to finish at .500. To put that in perspective, the Pirates have had just one winning season since 2015 and only four since Barry Bonds left in 1992.
MLB analyst Dan Plesac knows the team well. He pitched in 131 games over two seasons in Pittsburgh, notching 14 saves. With four years of team control left, Plesac and his co-hosts Greg Amsinger and Harold Reynolds debated Skenes’ future.
"They need huge upgrades."
What should the Pirates do with Paul Skenes?@Plesac19 | #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/3GNie3qub6
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork)
Like Reynolds said, Skenes becomes arbitration-eligible in two years, and he’ll get a huge raise. No small-market team wants to lose a star to a big-market club, but this isn’t about outside forces — it’s a message to Pirates management.
Owner Bob Nutting has a net worth north of $1 billion, making him one of baseball’s richest owners. But by all signs, he isn’t interested in spending on the team — just profiting from it.
PFSN’s Jarrett Prendergast recently broke down how Nutting’s lack of action is holding the Pirates back.
It’s hard to imagine Nutting paying top dollar for Skenes when Francisco Liriano’s three-year, $39 million deal still stands as the franchise’s biggest payday.
Skenes will keep pitching great while the Pirates keep losing more than they should. He’ll get All-Star nods, which will only raise his future price tag. And deep down, everyone knows the Pirates won’t spend to keep him.
That’s why trading him now for a haul of prospects is the smartest move for a team that hasn’t made many good business decisions in recent years.
Of course the Pittsburgh Pirates is a broken system, in other news water is wet.