Would The Pirates Really Trade Paul Skenes This Year?

The Pittsburgh Pirates lucked into the first overall draft pick in 2023, winning the Paul Skenes sweepstakes. And after a short, dominant minor league career, Skenes has already become one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball. 

After a 1.96 ERA in his rookie season in 2024, Skenes has followed it with a 2.44 ERA thus far in 2025. He's limited hard contact, limited walks, and is already on pace for a 5+ win season, per Fangraphs wins above replacement projections.

Oh, and he's also just 22 years old and playing on an $875,000 salary. Essentially, he's one of the most valuable players in the sport. And the Pirates are doing their best to waste him. 

Pittsburgh is once again in last place in the NL Central at 15-33, 13 games out of first place, buried in the wild card, all but confirming another year of missing the postseason. With an owner who refuses to spend and the worst offense in baseball, the Pirates are once again facing a potential rebuild. And apparently, trading Paul Skenes could somehow be part of it.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 11, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

ESPN's Jeff Passan joined the "Pat McAfee Show" this past week and blasted the Pirates organization for their poor planning, roster building, and lack of spending, suggesting that Skenes and the fans deserve better.

"It's not just Paul Skenes who deserves better," Passan said. "It's Pittsburgh Pirates fans who deserve better, and they deserve a system that allows teams to keep great players. Now, in some cases, guys will stay with small market teams; we've