Could the Pirates Trade Their Star?

Rumors are starting to heat up in Pittsburgh, and they’re impossible to ignore. After a disappointing start to the season and the firing of manager Derek Shelton, the Pirates seem to be at a crossroads. One big question is now floating around the baseball world: could the team actually consider trading their young ace, Paul Skenes?

Before anyone panics, no, there’s no official plan to move him. But one respected baseball insider, Jeff Passan, recently stirred the pot. Passan said that while a trade isn’t likely, there is an argument to be made that the Pirates should consider it. Why? Because the team has already fallen out of playoff contention, their offense can’t seem to score runs, and their owner, Bob Nutting, hasn’t shown he’s willing to spend big money to keep top players around. Passan added that teams will definitely be asking about Skenes as the trade deadline approaches.

Meet Paul Skenes: Baseball’s Brightest Young Star

If you’re just tuning into baseball, here’s what you need to know: Paul Skenes is already a star. Last season, he burst onto the scene and didn’t look back. He started the All-Star Game, won National League Rookie of the Year, and finished third in the voting for the Cy Young Award, given to the league’s best pitcher. That’s not just good, it’s rare. And he's only getting better.

Why Would the Pirates Trade a Superstar?

On the surface, it seems crazy to trade a player like Skenes. But when teams aren’t close to winning, they sometimes choose to rebuild. That means trading current stars to get younger players and prospects in return, hoping they can win later instead of now.

Paul Skenes is under team control until 2030, meaning the Pirates don’t have to worry about losing him for a long time. But here's the catch: will they be willing to pay the massive salary it will take to keep him once he’s a free agent? If the answer is no, then some people, like Passan, think they should trade him now while his value is sky-high. Some even wonder if Skenes would prefer to pitch in a bigger market someday, where he might have a better chance to win championships and earn more money.

What Are the Pirates Saying?

Not everyone is buying into the trade rumors. Jon Heyman of the New York Post spoke to a Pirates executive who quickly shut the idea down, saying, “No way, no chance, no how.” So for now, Skenes isn’t going anywhere.

Still, it’s fun to think about. Imagine Skenes pitching in a World Series for a team like the Dodgers or Yankees. It might never happen, but in baseball, you never say never.