Paul Skenes continues to dominate on the mound in 2025, but his future with the Pittsburgh Pirates has become one of the most discussed topics of the MLB season.
As the team struggles to stay relevant in the National League playoff picture, speculation has mounted about whether Pittsburgh might consider trading their prized 23-year-old ace before the July 31 deadline.
Skenes, widely viewed as one of the most promising pitchers in baseball, would draw interest from nearly every contender if he became available.
Yet despite the rumors, many believe the Pirates have no intention of moving their young star.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report offered a bold take on the situation this week, suggesting that Pittsburgh won’t pull the trigger on a deal involving Skenes. Instead, the front office appears focused on trying to build a legitimate contender around him.
“Whether it’s Ben Cherington or someone else leading the baseball operations moving forward,” Kelly wrote.
“It’s fair to wonder if owner Bob Nutting will be willing to authorize the necessary spending to put a playoff-caliber team around Skenes before he prices his way out of Pittsburgh. But it’s way too early to admit defeat.”
Stellar performance amid team setbacks
Through 15 starts this season, Skenes has been everything the Pirates hoped for and more.
He holds a 4-6 record-misleading given the team’s lack of run support-along with a sparkling 1.78 ERA, a WHIP of 0.85, and a 4.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 96 innings pitched.
His command, velocity, and composure have stood out in a rotation that has otherwise lacked consistency.
Skenes’ emergence as the face of the franchise has given Pirates fans a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been another difficult season.
Pittsburgh has struggled to gain momentum in the standings, hovering near the bottom of the NL Central for much of the campaign.
With his rookie status just in the rearview, Skenes is quickly approaching arbitration years-meaning his cost will rise dramatically in the near future.
That financial pressure, combined with Pittsburgh’s long-standing reluctance to spend heavily, has fueled speculation that the team may choose to trade him rather than risk losing him later without a significant return.
But according to Kelly’s analysis, the Pirates may still believe in a future where Skenes leads a playoff-bound roster in Pittsburgh.
Such a path would require commitment from ownership, both in terms of payroll and development strategy, but it remains an option the team is reportedly not ready to abandon.
Moving on from a player like Skenes – especially one still in the early stages of a potentially historic career, would represent a major shift in direction.
For now, it seems Pittsburgh isn’t ready to wave the white flag. As the trade deadline approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly on the Pirates’ front office.
Whether they double down on building around Skenes or take a different path, the choice could define the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
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