The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently facing significant challenges, finding themselves in last place and considering a complete overhaul of the team. The organization has already made headlines by firing their manager and experiencing a series of public relations missteps in a short span. However, one thing is clear: trading their young ace, Paul Skenes, is not on the table. General manager Ben Cherington confirmed this during a recent press conference, stating that discussions about trading Skenes are “not part of the conversation at all.”
As the Pirates entered a crucial four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, they found themselves 11 games out of playoff contention. This dismal performance can largely be attributed to an offense that ranks at the bottom in almost every significant statistic, including runs scored, slugging percentage, and on-base plus slugging (OPS), all of which are currently at 30th in the league. Additionally, the team ranks 29th in both home runs and batting average.
Despite these challenges, the Pirates displayed a glimmer of hope during an 8-5 loss to the Brewers, managing to score five runs for the first time in 27 games. This performance ended a major league record-tying streak of 26 games with four runs or fewer. However, it was bittersweet as the team also left 10 runners on base, a persistent issue throughout the season where they have struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
During spring training, there were high hopes for the Pirates, with Cherington, Skenes, and former manager Derek Shelton discussing the need for a significant step forward following two consecutive 76-86 seasons. Instead, the team has struggled since opening day, even with Skenes on the mound. The Pirates hold a disappointing 3-5 record in Skenes' eight starts, including a recent 1-0 loss in Philadelphia where he pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits.
At just 22 years old, Skenes has emerged as a pivotal player for the Pirates since his call-up last year. He is under team control until the end of the decade and will not be arbitration-eligible until after 2026, making him one of the most valuable assets in the league. The Pirates have secured long-term contracts for players like two-time All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, but these deals pale in comparison to what Skenes might command in the future if he continues on his current trajectory.
The Pirates are known for their frugality in the MLB, with an opening day payroll just under $88 million, ranking among the lowest in the league. Despite this, the returns on their investments have been minimal. While the starting rotation, including Skenes, Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter, has shown promise with ERAs under 4.00, their combined record stands at a disappointing 11-21. The real issue lies with a lineup that struggles to produce runs, overshadowing the talents of Reynolds, franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, and center fielder Oneil Cruz.
Pittsburgh boasts one of the deepest pools of pitching prospects in the league, including hard-throwing 22-year-old Bubba Chandler and Mike Burrows, who recently made his major league debut. However, the team’s homegrown position players remain underwhelming, five years into Cherington's tenure. Henry Davis, the top overall pick in the 2021 draft, is still developing, while Nick Gonzales is recovering from an injury and hasn't solidified his role as an everyday player. Other former first-round selections like Termarr Johnson and Konnor Griffin are still years away from making an impact.
Currently, the call-ups from Triple-A have been mainly due to injuries rather than performance. Cherington expressed a desire for more players from the minor leagues to step up, emphasizing the need for a more dynamic offensive approach. "We want guys from Triple-A to pound the door down," he stated. "Everybody knows we've got to score more runs. That's not going to happen just by saying it and hoping for it.”
Despite the current struggles, Cherington remains optimistic that the major league team can turn things around in the remaining 110 games of the season. He is confident that Skenes will be a crucial part of this turnaround, stating, “We've just got to get better. Let's play better baseball, and that's going to lead to winning more games.” As the Pirates navigate through a challenging season, all eyes will be on how they can build a more competitive team moving forward.
