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Paul Skenes is the top player on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster. Unfortunately, he’s largely been a one-man show in Year 2 of his MLB career.
Skenes is a Cy Young candidate, though his win-loss record wouldn’t reflect it. He’d hoped to see the Pirates add a few bats to a bad lineup at the trade deadline.
It didn’t happen.
Now, Skenes is giving up on the 2025 offensive lineup. He hopes the ’26 bats can provide a bit more pop.
Paul Skenes talked about the Pirates trade deadline decisions.
He didn’t seem thrilled with the fact that the team failed to add offensive firepower. The opportunity was there. The front office opted to go in a different direction.
Many of the team’s moves were a bit head-scratching. They gave away one of their top bullpen arms in David Bednar to the Yankees for three minor league players.
GM Ben Cherington reportedly “had access” to more highly rated farm system prospects, which Pittsburgh turned down.
Ben Cherington said that the Pirates “had access” to players that were ranked higher than who the Yankees offered for David Bednar.
They simply preferred this package, receiving No. 8 Yankees prospect Rafael Flores, No. 14 prospect Edgleen Perez and Low-A OF Brian Sanchez.
— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) August 1, 2025
Key’Bryan Hayes was dealt to the Reds in what was probably the best move of the deadline, but the team failed to move three players whose contracts are expiring.
Skenes talked about the moves after the fact. He hopes that those minor league prospects can move up quickly, and that money now freed up is used on offense.
“Hopefully, it also created some space for us to acquire some bats in the offseason,” the pitcher said. “Didn’t see a lot in terms of major league [acquisitions] at the deadline, but hopefully that sets us up next year, very well through the guys that we acquired who are in Triple A, or like I said, with that space in the offseason to pick up some bats.”
Skenes needs help.
He’s been one of baseball’s best on the mound for a second straight season. His stat line includes a 2.02 ERA, the best in the National League.
He also has 154 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched and one complete game under his belt. His record is just 6-8.
Paul Skenes has been dominant. His win-loss record doesn’t reflect it due to a putrid Pirates offense.
Pittsburgh ranks dead last in the MLB in home runs and runs scored. The team is 26th (out of 30) in batting average. As a result, the Pirates are just 48-64 despite boasting a staff ERA in the top half of the league.
Nothing the front office did at the trade deadline will help this year’s lineup. A large majority of the prospects added are not on the Major League roster.
Skenes hopes that there was some forward thinking to help out the 2026 roster. If not, frustrations could continue to mount for the Pittsburgh ace. Either way, he’s already putting 2025 in the past.