Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Affirms Untouchable Status of Ace Paul Skenes Amidst Persistent Trade Inquiries

LAS VEGAS – Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington definitively stated Tuesday that the organization has no intention of trading ace right-hander Paul Skenes this offseason, effectively quashing persistent speculation that has circulated across Major League Baseball. Speaking from the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas, Cherington acknowledged the consistent interest from other clubs but emphasized the Pirates’ unwavering stance regarding their young superstar.

Skenes, who completed his second major league season in 2025, has rapidly ascended to become one of the sport’s most dominant pitchers. His exceptional talent, combined with the Pirates’ recent struggles, has fueled numerous inquiries from rival teams hoping to acquire a potentially generational arm. Cherington confirmed that these conversations are a regular occurrence, though they are consistently brief.

"The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful," Cherington told reporters at the annual league event. "Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won’t end. But the answer’s been consistent." This consistent refusal underscores the Pirates’ commitment to building their future around the 23-year-old right-hander, despite the allure of a potentially massive return in prospects and young talent.

Skenes, the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State University, has exceeded even the most optimistic projections for his development. After a swift ascent through the minor league system, he quickly established himself as a frontline starter. In the 2025 season, Skenes led all of Major League Baseball with a remarkable 1.97 ERA across 187⅓ innings pitched over 32 starts. His dominant performance earned him a second consecutive All-Star selection, and he is widely considered the favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award, with the winner scheduled to be announced on Thursday.

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Despite Skenes’ individual brilliance, the Pittsburgh Pirates as a team faced another challenging season in 2025, finishing last in the National League Central Division for the second consecutive year. The club concluded the season with a record of 71-91, a five-game regression from their 2024 performance. This stark contrast between Skenes’ elite production and the team’s overall struggles has been a primary catalyst for the trade rumors, as some analysts and fans have questioned whether the Pirates could maximize Skenes’ value by trading him for a package that could more rapidly accelerate a comprehensive rebuild.

However, Cherington and the Pirates’ front office view Skenes not as a trade chip, but as a foundational "building block" integral to their long-term strategy of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2015. The organization’s commitment to Skenes reflects a broader strategic pivot, signaling an intent to retain premium talent rather than engaging in the traditional small-market practice of trading stars for future assets.

The inquiries surrounding Skenes are understandable given his unique profile. At 23, he possesses a rare combination of elite velocity, a devastating slider, and exceptional command, attributes that project him as a potential perennial Cy Young contender for years to come. His early career statistics place him in the company of some of the most dominant young pitchers in modern baseball history, making him an incredibly attractive asset for any team, particularly those in a championship window. The potential haul for a pitcher of Skenes’ caliber, with multiple years of team control remaining before he hits arbitration and eventual free agency, would undoubtedly be immense, likely involving multiple top-tier prospects and young major league-ready talent.

Instead of exploring such a trade, Cherington outlined the Pirates’ primary focus for the upcoming offseason: bolstering an offense that significantly underperformed in 2025. The Pirates ranked last in Major League Baseball in runs scored and 29th in wRC+ (weighted Runs Created Plus), a comprehensive metric that measures a player’s total offensive value, adjusted for park and league effects. This offensive deficiency demonstrably hindered the team’s ability to capitalize on its strong pitching performances.

"We believe our pitching is a strength," Cherington affirmed. "Doesn’t mean we wouldn’t want to add more pitching. We will certainly be opportunistic on the pitching side. There are some things that we’d like to do on the pitching side, but run scoring was the thing that got in our way more than anything. And we’ve got to add to that."

The Pirates’ projected starting rotation, spearheaded by Skenes, indeed shows considerable promise. Veteran right-hander Mitch Keller, who has established himself as a reliable mid-rotation starter, provides stability. Additionally, heralded prospect Bubba Chandler, a promising right-hander, is expected to contend for a rotation spot in the near future, further strengthening the team’s pitching core. Cherington’s remarks indicate that while pitching depth is always a consideration, the critical area for improvement lies in offensive production.

The Pirates’ declaration of increased payroll "flexibility" for the winter further supports their strategic shift. Historically, the franchise has been characterized by conservative spending, a common trait among small-market teams. This newfound flexibility suggests a willingness to invest more significantly in free agency or through trades to acquire established offensive talent. The challenge for Cherington will be to identify and secure players who can immediately impact the team’s run-scoring capabilities without compromising the long-term financial health or prospect pipeline.

The decision to retain Skenes aligns with a long-term vision that has seen the Pirates accumulate a deep farm system over the past few seasons. The expectation is that several of these highly-touted prospects will soon reach the major league level and contribute alongside Skenes, Keller, and Chandler. For the Pirates, the hope is that Skenes will serve as the anchor of a future championship-contending team, rather than being a pawn in a continuous cycle of rebuilding. This approach represents a significant gamble for the franchise, as it places immense pressure on the front office to successfully build a competitive roster around Skenes during his years of team control. Failure to do so could lead to renewed calls for a trade as Skenes approaches free agency.

For now, however, the message from Pittsburgh is clear: Paul Skenes is not available. The focus has shifted from fending off trade inquiries to strategically deploying newfound payroll resources to address glaring offensive deficiencies, aiming to construct a competitive team around their undisputed ace. The success or failure of this strategy will undoubtedly shape the Pirates’ trajectory for the remainder of the decade and determine whether Skenes’ generational talent can finally bring sustained winning baseball back to Pittsburgh.