Pirates Make Decision on Paul Skenes Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 7:35 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates do not have much to be proud of after the 2025 season, finishing the year last place in the NL Central. For the ninth time in ten years, Pittsburgh finished with a losing record. One bright spot, however, is superstar right-handed starting pitcher Paul Skenes.

Skenes continued to deliver on the hype in his first full season in Pittsburgh, emerging as one of the most dominant arms in baseball. The 23-year-old owned an MLB-leading 1.97 ERA, 10-10 record and 216 strikeouts in 187 2/3 innings of work. His power fastball, advanced command and poise on the mound gave the Pirates a legitimate ace to build around.

While the team’s overall performance fell short, Skenes’ rise offers hope for a franchise still searching for a path back to contention.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30)Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

As the Pirates enter the offseason, one of the biggest storylines has been the future of Skenes. With Pittsburgh showing no signs of building a roster capable of postseason contention around him, front offices have reached out to check on his availability.

However, the Pirates have made their stance clear. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Pittsburgh is not even listening to offers for Skenes. “The Pirates won’t even listen to trade proposals for Skenes, so don’t bother calling,” Nightengale reported on Monday.

10 biggest MLB hot stove questions, from top free agents to latest trade rumors as GM meetings begin in Vegas https://t.co/z0qYRipPWj
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 10, 2025

Skenes has four years of team control remaining and is the frontrunner to win his first NL Cy Young Award this season. He is already a two-time All-Star, and his ability to anchor and elevate a pitching staff is widely recognized. Since being selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes has quickly become one of the most coveted talents in the league.

He remains interested in staying with Pittsburgh, but the organization has consistently avoided large financial commitments and ranks near the bottom of the league in payroll. Whether they can build a competitive roster around him remains uncertain.

If the Pirates were to entertain offers for Skenes, he would likely command one of the most substantial trade returns in recent MLB history. His age, production and years of team control make him a rare commodity. Teams desperate for a frontline ace would be willing to part with multiple top prospects and young major league talent. Trading him could accelerate a rebuild and reshape the organization’s future.

On the other hand, moving a generational pitcher so early in his career risks alienating the fan base and squandering a chance to build around a true superstar. The decision carries long-term consequences either way.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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