UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially confirmed that ace pitcher Paul Skenes is not on the trading block this offseason. General Manager Ben Cherington made this announcement during the General Managers meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday, putting an end to swirling rumors about Skenes potentially being moved.
Cherington stated that inquiries from other teams regarding Skenes’ availability have been frequent but always met with a firm “no.” “The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful,” he noted. “Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won’t end. But the answer’s been consistent.” This news comes as teams seek to strengthen their rosters ahead of the upcoming season.
At just 23 years old, Skenes has emerged as one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, leading the league with a remarkable 1.97 ERA in 2025, spanning 187.2 innings across 32 starts. Despite his stellar performance, the Pirates finished last in the National League Central for the second consecutive year with a record of 71-91, raising questions about the team’s future direction.
Skenes’ All-Star caliber performance has made him the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award, highlighting his significance to the team. Many speculate that trading him could yield a massive return, but the Pirates view Skenes as a cornerstone in their strategy to build a competitive roster for the first time since 2015.
Cherington emphasized that the Pirates plan to focus on improving their offense during the offseason, as they ranked last in the majors for runs scored in 2025. “Run scoring was the thing that got in our way more than anything,” he explained. The team is expected to leverage its increased payroll flexibility to attract talent that can complement their strong pitching staff, which also includes veteran Mitch Keller and promising prospect Bubba Chandler.
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the Pirates as they attempt to reshape their roster and support Skenes in his quest for greatness. Fans are eager to see if the organization can build a winning team around their star pitcher, who is fast becoming a beacon of hope for the franchise. The next steps for the Pirates will be critical as they aim to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
