Will the Pittsburgh Pirates trade Paul Skenes? This is a question on the minds of many, especially among the Pirates’ fanbase, who are eager to see more of the star pitcher. Although the Pirates have not made any public statements, speculations continue to rise. Now, with the Pirates off to a disappointing start to the season and after firing manager Derek Shelton, rumors continue to swirl about a potential Skenes trade. The rumors intensified with a single, jaw-dropping comparison. An MLB executive, speaking to a reporter, dared to mention Skenes’ name alongside that of Juan Soto—the same Juan Soto whose blockbuster trade once shook the league and set a new standard for superstar value.
For Pirates fans, this was more than just another rumor. It was a story that tugged at every emotion: pride in Skenes’ rise, anxiety over the team’s future, and curiosity about just how high his value could soar. Apparently, MLB executive Mark Feinsand seems to have a rough idea. The suggestion? If the Pirates were ever to trade Skenes, the return could be even greater than the historic haul that Soto commanded.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com quotes an AL executive, “If they look to trade him now, I think something like 1.5 times the Soto deal would be a starting point.” Well, he may have a point. And interestingly, he isn’t the only one to share such an opinion. “If they chose to go that route, they could ask for the moon from a contending team and would probably get it,” an NL executive said, highlighting the market value of a centerpiece player like Skenes.
Although the Pirates currently stand with a 17-34 record at the bottom of the NL Central, Skenes’ performance has never been a concern. In fact, he has carried the entire team on his shoulders many times, like a true beacon of hope. Skenes has been doing his part quite well this season, going 3-5 with a 2.44 ERA, 62.2 innings pitched, and 62 strikeouts at a 0.94 WHIP.
Remember when the Nationals sent Soto to the Padres? Washington got a haul: San Diego’s top prospect, two more from their top five, and another from their top 15. That’s four of the best young guys in the system, plus C.J. Abrams, who was their No. 1 prospect to start the year. And that was just for Soto, who still had two and a half years left on his contract.
When compared to that, the Pirates wouldn’t settle for anything less than a team’s entire pool of elite prospects, and possibly multiple players already contributing at the major league level. But that is the case if… if the Pirates decide to trade him. And after hearing general manager Ben Cherington’s recent press conference, it’s not happening anytime soon. Or who knows, perhaps never!
Pirates express no interest in trading Paul Skenes
Rightfully so! The Pirates might sink even deeper into the abyss if they trade Skenes now, and the teams that can acquire him might not gain much. And yet, somehow, Pittsburgh is just 3-7 in his outings this year, a stat that’s as much an indictment of the team as it is a testament to Skenes’ bad luck. This isn’t just a run of bad luck; it’s a sign of deeper issues. The Pirates’ offense ranks at or near the bottom of the league in almost every category, and the team just set a record for most consecutive games scoring four runs or fewer.
According to Associated Press, the Pirates’ general manager, Cherington, shut down all the possibility of trading Skenes. “No. It’s not at all part of the conversation,” said Skenes. With the Pirates moving towards their seventh consecutive loss of this season, even if they trade Skenes, there won’t be a successful outcome for the franchise.
Jun 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
More importantly, as Ken Rosenthal stated, “Skenes is a depreciating asset who will never sign with the Pirates long-term.” If that’s the case, they might choose to trade Skenes for a solid package of quality hitters, considering their right-hander Jared Jones has been sidelined until 2026 to have his elbow’s UCL repaired.
However, if they trade him, it will make the Pirates’ journey even more difficult. They are already struggling offensively, and right now, no team wants to part with top offensive players for Skenes. The real question isn’t whether to trade Skenes. It’s whether the Pirates can finally build a team around him before his prime years slip away. If they can’t, it won’t just be a missed opportunity—it’ll be a failure that stings for years.
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