Overview

• Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, delivered a dominant debut season with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.
• The Pirates' offseason moves, including the acquisition of veterans like Andrew Heaney and Tommy Pham, have been criticized as insufficient to bolster the team around Skenes' generational talent.
• Analysts and fans have called out team owner Bob Nutting for maintaining a low payroll, projected at $88 million, and missing an opportunity to build a competitive roster.
• The Pirates' promising young core includes Skenes, Jared Jones, and Oneil Cruz, but concerns remain about the team's offensive consistency and bullpen depth.
• The franchise has not reached the postseason since 2015, and critics argue that without significant investment, the Pirates risk squandering Skenes' prime years.