UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially confirmed they will not trade ace pitcher Paul Skenes this offseason, quashing any speculation that could have reshaped the Major League Baseball landscape. General Manager Ben Cherington made this announcement during the ongoing General Managers meetings in Las Vegas, stating that inquiries about Skenes’ availability have been frequent but consistently met with a firm “no.”
Cherington emphasized, “The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful. Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won’t end. But the answer’s been consistent.” This declaration comes as a relief for Pirates fans who see Skenes as a vital part of the team’s future.
Skenes, at just 23 years old, is already regarded as one of the top pitchers in baseball. In the 2025 season, he led the majors with an impressive 1.97 ERA over 187.2 innings across 32 starts. Despite his stellar performance, the Pirates finished last in the National League Central for the second consecutive year, ending the season with a 71-91 record, five games worse than in 2024.
The continued discussions about Skenes stem from the lack of a competitive roster around him. While trading the young star could yield a significant return for the Pirates, Cherington stated that the organization views Skenes as a key building block in their aspirations to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Looking ahead, the Pirates will focus on improving their offense this winter. Cherington noted that the team has more payroll “flexibility” to acquire talent, aiming to address the offensive struggles that saw them rank last in the majors in runs scored and 29th in wRC+.
“We believe our pitching is a strength,” Cherington said, referencing the promising rotation that includes veteran Mitch Keller and top prospect Bubba Chandler. “Doesn’t mean we wouldn’t want to add more pitching. We will certainly be opportunistic 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.”
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will remain on the Pirates’ strategy to bolster their lineup while retaining their ace, Skenes. The MLB community eagerly anticipates how this decision will shape the team’s future and the upcoming trades as other clubs scramble to enhance their rosters.
