Pirates Insist Paul Skenes Is Not for Sale, Teams Still Inquire

Pittsburgh, PA — The Pittsburgh Pirates have made it clear they do not plan to trade star pitcher Paul Skenes, according to General Manager Ben Cherington. Despite this, teams are still reaching out with potential offers, indicating his strong market value.

At only 22 years old, Skenes boasts more than four years of team control left, making him one of the league’s most sought-after players. His salary of $740,000 for 2025 makes him an affordable ace, which is hard to find in Major League Baseball.

This season, the Pirates are struggling, sitting at 20-36, and they have the second-worst record in the National League. They are already 14.5 games back in the NL Central and facing the possibility of a seventh consecutive losing season. Cherington aims to improve the team’s performance under the new manager and emphasizes the need to build around the young talent, including Skenes.

Skenes has a stellar 2.10 ERA in his first 34 career starts, a statistic that adds to his allure. However, the organization acknowledges the risk associated with waiting to capitalize on his value due to potential injuries.

The Pirates may not have the resources to lock Skenes in for the long term. Historically, the franchise has been reluctant to spend significantly in free agency, with their largest signing being $106.75 million for outfielder Bryan Reynolds in 2023.

While the Pirates publicly claim Skenes is not up for grabs, experts like Jim Bowden propose that a trade could be in the franchise’s best interest, especially if offers from teams with strong prospects emerge.

Five potential trade packages have been suggested from various contenders, including the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. These teams have the young talent capable of making substantial offers for a player like Skenes, who many believe could change the trajectory of a franchise.

While acceptable trade offers have been outlined, including multiple top prospects, the Pirates remain firm that trading Skenes is not on their agenda—at least not yet. As the July trade deadline approaches, the situation could evolve rapidly depending on both the Pirates’ continuing struggles and teams’ persistence.