The Pittsburgh Pirates have not made the playoffs since the 2015 season, when they finished with a 98-64 record before losing to the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card game.
Since then, Pittsburgh has struggled to return to the postseason. This year, with Paul Skenes as the ace of their rotation, they may have a chance to contend. However, did the Pirates do enough this offseason to build a competitive roster around Skenes? Some fans remain skeptical.
MLB Analyst Calls Out Pirates Ownership Over Paul Skenes
It’s no secret that Pirates fans have long called for owner Bob Nutting to sell the team. Many have joked that Skenes will leave Pittsburgh in a few years to join a perennial contender. MLB analyst Jake Mintz recently criticized the Pirates’ ownership for how they’ve handled team-building around Skenes.
Mintz said, “No ownership group should be more embarrassed than the one running the Pirates.” He’s not the first to call out Pittsburgh’s front office. On paper, the Pirates may have one of the weakest lineups in baseball this season.
The Pirates are fumbling the early Paul Skenes era 😬 pic.twitter.com/ApEp63Qmuq
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 13, 2025
Right fielder Bryan Reynolds and center fielder Oneil Cruz might be the two best players on the roster, while catcher Joey Bart is another player to watch. However, first baseman Spencer Horwitz will miss the start of the season due to injury.
With a potentially struggling offense, Skenes could find himself with numerous no-decisions or tough 1-0 losses. Some fans believe the Pirates are among the worst-run organizations in MLB.
One fan wrote, “They’re the laughingstock of professional sports. They’re embarrassing to the city of Pittsburgh. No doubt Skenes is counting the days until he’s out of here.”
Another fan speculated that Skenes will eventually leave Pittsburgh, stating, “When Paul Skenes hits free agency—still a long way to go until then—the Astros will be perfectly suited to pay him a fortune. Can do what they once did with Gerrit Cole. Trade for him a couple years before his free agency. Skenes is just so much fun to watch! I love that guy!!”
A third fan added, “What have they fugged up here?”
Skenes pitched in 23 games last season for Pittsburgh, posting an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA. In 133 innings, he allowed 94 hits and 31 runs while striking out 170 batters and walking 32.
If the Pirates don’t show signs of progress this season, it would be a significant waste of Skenes’ talent. As one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball, fans are hoping Pittsburgh finds a way to support him before it’s too late.