The excitement around Paul Skenes has reached new heights as he kicks off the 2025 MLB season with a bang! After an impressive rookie year, the 22-year-old pitching sensation is making waves and drawing interest from teams eyeing a trade.

News broke last week, courtesy of ESPN's Jeff Passan, that the Pittsburgh Pirates were entertaining offers for Skenes as the trade deadline approaches. With an affordable salary of just $875,000 and several years of team control ahead, he’s undeniably one of the most valuable players in baseball.

Adding to his allure, Skenes boasts a vibrant personality and a buzzing off-field life, giving the Pirates a marketable star who could attract fans and revenue.

The Pirates' Mixed Signals

However, things took a turn when Jon Heyman reported that a Pirates source flatly denied any plans to trade Skenes. The proclamation? "No chance, no way, no how." It’s puzzling yet somewhat expected, considering that trading a soon-to-be superstar with just one year of service is rare. Yet the Pirates insist they're committed to building a team around him.

Pittsburgh's Bizarre 'Building' Strategy

But let’s get real: the Pirates have a questionable plan. The organization’s grand vision for 2025 appears to include signing aging players like Tommy Pham, Andrew McCutchen, and Andrew Heaney—hardly a robust strategy for constructing a winning franchise.

In fact, the Pirates have set a Major League Baseball record by scoring four runs or fewer in 26 consecutive games. This kind of offensive disaster raises serious questions about their commitment to success.

Are They Even Serious?

The Pirates’ management has consistently shown a lack of ambition to contend. Owner Bob Nutting seems more interested in pocketing revenue than elevating the team’s performance. They’ve missed opportunities to sign top players or make pivotal trades, like Alex Bregman or Cody Bellinger, leaving fans frustrated.

This neglect signals that the organization may not view Skenes as a cornerstone for their future at all; rather, he could be seen as trade bait once his salary starts rising—continuing their vices of perennial rebuilding.

A Call for Change

It's disheartening to see such a generational talent like Skenes relegated to a team that doesn’t take his potential seriously. MLB deserves better, and so does he. Here’s hoping the Pirates wake up before they squander yet another star player!