Paul Skenes delivered his best performance yet in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform on Sunday afternoon, pitching the first complete game of his MLB career. But despite his dominance on the mound, the Pirates couldn’t give him a single run of support, ultimately falling 1-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies.
While the outing marked a significant personal milestone for Skenes, it also reignited speculation about whether the Pirates can hold onto their young ace or if they’ll eventually be forced to trade him.
The 22-year-old right-hander was in complete control from the first pitch. He allowed just three hits, struck out nine batters, and walked none over eight innings of work.
The lone blemish on an otherwise stellar outing came in the fifth inning, when an RBI groundout plated the game’s only run. That was enough to hand Skenes a tough-luck loss, and it underscored the Pirates’ ongoing inability to generate offense when it matters most.
Skenes’ star rises, but long-term future in Pittsburgh remains uncertain
Sunday’s loss capped a brilliant individual performance, but it also amplified concerns about the direction of the Pirates as a franchise-and how long Skenes will remain a part of it.
With the MLB trade deadline just months away, insiders are already speculating whether Pittsburgh will entertain offers for their prized young pitcher. This has people wondering whether a new life awaits for both him and superstar gymnast girlfriend Olivia Dunne awaits.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan addressed the topic last week during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, suggesting that the team could face a difficult decision in the near future.
“The Pirates, including 2025, have five years of club control before he reaches free agency,” Passan said. “If they believe that they have absolutely no chance of signing him, then they should trade him. You can make the argument that they should trade him now.”
While that might seem premature, Passan also pointed out that rival teams will likely approach the Pirates at the deadline to test their willingness to deal Skenes. Given the right-hander’s rapid rise and current form, his trade value has likely never been higher.
What’s more, Sunday’s game further exposed Pittsburgh’s offensive limitations. The team managed just six hits against the Phillies but couldn’t capitalize. They struck out 14 times and failed to push a single baserunner across the plate, wasting a pitching gem that would have been enough for most contending clubs to walk away with a win.
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