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Pirates Face Mounting Pressure Over Paul Skenes Trade Decision

As the Pirates struggle with a 14–29 record, analysts urge the team to trade their star pitcher for a rebuild, while fans and former players voice strong opposition.

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Overview

  • Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, continues to dominate in 2025 with a 2.63 ERA and 53 strikeouts through nine starts.
  • The Pirates are last in the NL Central with a 14–29 record, fueling discussions about trading Skenes to accelerate an organizational rebuild.
  • Insiders like Jeff Passan and Paul Zeise advocate for a trade while Skenes' value is at its peak, citing the team's lack of competitiveness and financial investment.
  • Speculation grows around potential suitors, including the New York Yankees, who may target Skenes to bolster their rotation before the trade deadline.
  • Fan backlash intensifies, with former MLB player Trevor Plouffe calling for league intervention if the Pirates trade Skenes, arguing it would signify broader systemic issues in the franchise.