Paul Skenes’ arrival in Major League Baseball could not have been better, with a record of 11-3 and an ERA of 1.96 in 23 starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who were once again in the conversation thanks to the talent of their young star, who has already been named the National League Rookie of the Year.
In addition to dominating his appearance in MLB with his play, Skenes‘ fame is enhanced by the media-friendly couple he forms with his girlfriend Olivia Dunne, the LSU Tigers gymnast and one of the faces of NIL.
With this impact, Skenes finds himself in a position where he could aspire to something more, as the Pirates pay him very little for what a player who is a favorite for the 2025 National League Cy Young Award is worth, but who has a base salary of $800,000 and until 2027 will be eligible for arbitration.
Should the Pirates extend Paul Skenes’ contract?
With Skenes‘ projection, there has been speculation about his immediate future in MLB, as he is aiming to sign a historic contract for a starter and the Pirates will have to analyze whether they enter into negotiations for a contract extension or consider a trade in the market.
According to Eric Braun of Foul Territory, the Pirates’ revenue next season will be boosted by the presence of Paul Skenes, due to his impact on the stands and TV audience when he takes the mound.
“Next season, if it’s anything like last year, it could make them $10 to $15 million just by being there,” Eric Braun said. “It’s making them money and there are some players in the league who will really mean attendance spikes and TV ratings and help you get sponsorship money.”
The debate among MLB specialists was sparked by Erik Kratz‘s opinion that rather than thinking about securing Skenes‘s permanence, the Pirates could opt for a trade that would bring them benefits to build a roster that has the potential to be a champion. To do so, he suggests they should “break down the trade market doors” and “set an extremely high standard for Skenes’ value.”
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