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.