Since Paul Skenes burst onto the Major League Baseball scene, his impact has been so noticeable that he is already considered the next undisputed ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates. But with that level of talent also comes noise. This week, a comment from ESPN’s Jeff Passan raised eyebrows by suggesting that, while unlikely, rival teams are already inquiring about the young pitcher’s availability.
That was enough for social networks, fan forums and analysts to begin to speculate about a possible trade. The frustration among fans was not long in coming, especially because of the team’s recent history. They have not forgotten the trade of Gerrit Cole in 2018, which still hurts in Pittsburgh and for many symbolizes a mismanagement of elite talent.
What Passan really said… and what he didn’t
Contrary to what many interpreted, Jeff Passan did not state that the Pirates are actively considering trading Skenes. What he said is that, given his projection and level, there will be teams that will call to ask. Former player Trevor Plouffe came out to calm the waters on the JM Baseball podcast: “The headline says Skenes could be traded, but if you listen closely, Passan is saying that’s probably not going to happen,” he explained, making it clear that it was more of a market observation than a real intention of the team.
Plouffe was even more blunt about the idea of a trade: “If the Pirates trade Paul Skenes… it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life”. The phrase went viral and served to reinforce the notion that moving a pitcher of that caliber, on the rise and with an ERA of 2.63, would be a colossal strategic mistake.
Could history repeat itself with Gerrit Cole?
Although management has shown no signs of wanting to move Skenes, there is still some distrust. The Pirates are at the bottom of the National League Central Division and their recent managerial change has not reversed the negative trend. In such an environment, rumors flourish, especially when teams like the Dodgers appear as possible suitors.
Analyst Jim Riley even put forward a high-impact hypothesis: “The Dodgers have the prospect capital needed to offer an irresistible package and turn their rotation into an invincible machine with Skenes at the helm”. Although today it sounds unlikely, it would not be the first time that a team with economic power makes an unexpected move near the trade deadline.
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