The calendar is about to turn, and for the Pirates, that means another year of Cancun jokes instead of playoff baseball. Sitting at 69-89, with fans more frustrated than ever, the club is staring at another losing season that feels too familiar for comfort.
Through all the disappointment, Paul Skenes has been the one reason to watch. The former LSU phenom, drafted first overall in 2023, stormed into the big leagues last year and immediately looked like a future ace. His second season hasn’t been flawless, but his ceiling is as high as any young pitcher in the game. For most franchises, that’s the kind of player you build everything around.
That’s why ESPN insider Jeff Passan is drawing a line in the sand. On The Pat McAfee Show, Passan made it clear: trading Skenes shouldn’t even be on the table. “That’s all Pirates fans want. They want a reason to go to the ballpark,” he said. “They want to feel like ownership cares as much as they do… it’s right there for the taking for the Pirates.”
A familiar fight in Pittsburgh
Pirates fans have heard this story before. From Andrew McCutchen to Gerrit Cole, the pattern has been depressingly consistent: draft a star, enjoy a few seasons, then watch him thrive elsewhere while ownership cites financial limitations.
The problem, Passan argues, isn’t just market size – it’s ambition. The Dodgers are pushing payrolls over $300 million, the Yankees are hovering near $280 million, and even mid-market clubs like the Brewers have invested to stay competitive. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh entered 2025 at just $85 million in payroll, per USA Today – near the very bottom of baseball.
Keeping Skenes, then, is about more than numbers. It’s about credibility. Passan’s message is blunt: stop being the team that cuts corners and start being the team that builds around a generational arm.
The Pirates at a crossroads
For the first time in years, the Pirates have a pitcher who can change their trajectory. The question isn’t whether Paul Skenes is good enough – it’s whether the Pirates are willing to surround him with a roster that can actually compete.
If history is any guide, fans know which way this usually goes. But if Passan is right, 2025 could be the moment when Pittsburgh finally breaks its cycle. The choice is in the front office’s hands.
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