The Pittsburgh Pirates hold baseball’s premier young pitcher in 22-year-old Paul Skenes, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, but the team’s direction offers little hope for contention this year or anytime soon. With one of MLB’s lowest payrolls and owner Bob Nutting showing no indication of increasing spending, a Paul Skenes trade to New York Mets seems increasingly probable. Experts project Skenes will earn up to $400 million when he reaches free agency after the 2029 season, making it unlikely the Pirates will invest heavily to retain him.
Nutting, known for controversial budget decisions such as funding an $8 million weight room upgrade by diverting player payroll, appears unwilling to make the Pirates a competitive priority in terms of salary commitments. This financial stance worsens the chances of keeping elite talents like Skenes long-term.
The Pirates are a team held in such low regard that fans of other teams get excited when Pittsburgh has a young talent, as they know that in just a few years, that player will be available in a trade or as a free agent,
wrote Dan Freedman of Forbes.
Does any knowing fan truly believe that Paul Skenes will be pitching in black and gold when he turns 30?
—Dan Freedman, Financial Magazine Writer
Trade Rumors for Paul Skenes Remain Uncertain Despite Speculation
Although 2029 is still several years ahead, speculation has swirled around the possibility of Skenes being traded as soon as his sophomore season, but MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently downplayed those rumors. Rosenthal clarified that the Pirates still have control over Skenes’ contract for four more years and do not appear inclined to trade him just to address team struggles.
I do not see it happening this year,
Rosenthal said.
Paul Skenes is under control for four more years after this one. The Pirates have many problems, but I don’t know that trading Paul Skenes is the way to do it.
—Ken Rosenthal, MLB Insider
However, former general manager Jim Bowden offered a more open outlook, stating that anything can happen in baseball transactions. Bowden suggested that a blockbuster trade involving Skenes could reshape one of MLB’s strongest pitching rotations.
Never say never, Bowden wrote for The Athletic.
When it comes to baseball trades, anything can happen.
—Jim Bowden, Former GM and Sportswriter
Adding Skenes Would Strengthen Mets’ Elite Pitching Rotation
Bowden proposed a deal sending Paul Skenes to the New York Mets, who currently possess the best starting pitching staff ERA in baseball at 2.91. Despite a recent shakiness from starter Griffin Canning, the Mets trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games in the National League East, fueling urgency for roster upgrades.
Acquiring Skenes, whose pitching arsenal includes a dominant 98 mph sinker, would pair him with NL ERA leader Kodai Senga (1.46), potentially solidifying the Mets’ rotation as the strongest in baseball and boosting their chances for a playoff run.
Mets Would Part With Top Prospects to Secure Skenes
To obtain Skenes from the Pirates, Bowden suggested the Mets would need to part with four of their top prospects, signaling a bold sacrifice for immediate success. The centerpiece of the package is 24-year-old pitching prospect Brandon Sproat, ranked 68th overall by MLB Pipeline, who could immediately fill the vacancy left by Skenes in Pittsburgh’s rotation despite struggles at Triple-A this year.
The Mets would also include shortstop Jett Williams, outfielder Carson Benge, and first baseman Ryan Clifford, who rank as the club’s first, third, and fifth prospects, respectively. This group would provide the Pirates with a blend of pitching depth and long-term offensive talent.
Sproat could effectively replace Skenes in the Pirates’ rotation immediately, while Benge, Clifford and Williams would give them a trio of bats who would improve their lineup in the long term,
Bowden explained.
Pairing Skenes with current NL ERA leader Kodai Senga (1.46) would keep the Mets’ rotation as the best in baseball.
—Jim Bowden, Former GM and Sportswriter
Trading four of their five top prospects marks a massive investment by the Mets, but owner Steve Cohen has consistently demonstrated a readiness to spend at the major league level to compensate for shortcomings in player development. This deal would provide a franchise that has not won a World Series in 39 years a genuine opportunity to contend for a championship promptly.
Implications of a Potential Skenes Trade for Both Teams
A Paul Skenes trade to the New York Mets represents a high-stakes, win-now strategy for a team positioned to capitalize on elite pitching talent immediately, even at the cost of future prospects. Meanwhile, the Pirates would receive a package that, while trading away their best young pitcher, bolsters their rotation with a starter capable of stepping in right away and adds promising offensive players to rebuild their lineup.
This scenario emphasizes how financial realities and team priorities shape the movement of top prospects, with the Pirates likely viewing this as a necessary move under current ownership philosophies, while the Mets aim to end their lengthy championship drought by reinforcing their pitching staff significantly.