The Pittsburgh Pirates have endured a depressing begin to their season up to now and MLB followers have began to ignite rumors over a commerce involving star participant, Paul Skenes.
Why Are Pittsburgh Pirates Struggling In 2025?
As of Could 23, the Pittsburgh Pirates at the moment sit in 14th place of the Nationwide League or third within the Nationwide League Central and solely the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles have collected much less victories – with the Pirates successful 17 matches up to now.
Boasting a file of 17-34 will not be precisely what Pirates followers had in thoughts at this stage of the season, particularly with the wealthy historical past in Pittsburgh attributable to being 5 time World Collection winners.
Out of their 16-series within the MLB up to now, taking part in a franchise in three or 4 sport blocks, the Pittsburgh Pirates have solely received 5 – beating the St Louis Cardinals (2-1), Washington Nationals (3-1), Los Angeles Angels (2-1), Atlanta Braves (2-1) and Cincinnati Reds (2-1).
As for why the Pirates are struggling, a big a part of it’s all the way down to a poor offensive show as they’re one of many lowest scoring groups within the MLB and there has not been sufficient funding within the aspect – with their final World Collection triumph coming in 1979.
It has been a troublesome few years for the Pirates basically, ending backside of the Nationwide League Central in 2024 and just one place larger in 2023.
One man that can’t take a lot of the blame for the Pirates’ poor 2025 season is Paul Skenes, as regardless of holding a 3-5 file up to now, the teenager has collected some robust numbers.
In reality, the 22-year-old has an outstanding ERA of two.44, which is the twelfth greatest within the MLB as of Could 23, whereas additionally giving up simply 45 hits and 19 runs – hanging out 62 batters within the course of.
The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher at the moment sits tenth for WHIP within the MLB rankings with .190 and his performances have left different MLB followers questioning if he ought to be traded to an actual World Collection contender.
Will Pittsburgh Pirates Commerce Paul Skenes?
Regardless of supporters of different MLB franchises exterior of Pittsburgh beginning rumors over a commerce for Paul Skenes, there seems to be little to no probability of any transfer occurring.
The 22-year-old nonetheless has a number of years left on his deal in Pittsburgh and their is clearly a plan to construct a aspect across the star pitcher after the Pirates chosen Skenes because the primary general choose within the 2023 MLB Draft.
Ben Cherington, Basic Supervisor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was fast to close down any murmurs over a commerce involving Paul Skenes and said there has not been a dialog over it.
When requested a couple of Paul Skenes commerce, Cherington stated: “No, it’s not a part of the dialog in any respect.”
This agency stance would strongly recommend that the Pirates will not be even entertaining the likelihood over a commerce deal for Paul Skenes, nonetheless, if these poor performances proceed then a dialog could start.
A dialog over a transfer away from Pittsburgh is unlikely to happen in 2025, however Skenes will not be trying to signal an prolonged deal if the Pirates will not be competing for the World Collection.
Which MLB Franchise Would Signal Paul Skenes?
A number of MLB franchises could be trying right into a deal involving Paul Skenes if he have been to half methods with the Pirates and his numbers mirror a star that might turn out to be one of many highest paid gamers within the MLB.
Franchises just like the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers could not present an excessive amount of of an curiosity as all of them have a star pitcher already.
Nevertheless, there might be curiosity from groups which might be near or already competing for the World Collection, together with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Purple Sox.
