Paul Skenes has established himself as a compelling reason for the Pittsburgh Pirates to consider a contract extension, yet the team’s front office has not fully responded to his rising star. Following a strong start of 6 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Skenes achieved a rare feat by surpassing a career ERA benchmark previously set by Babe Ruth. At 2.03, his career earned run average ranks as the second-lowest among pitchers before turning 23, placing him between Ruth’s 2.07 and Dutch Leonard’s 1.86 ERA records.
This achievement highlights Skenes as a once-in-a-generation talent, one whose performance outpaces historic legends, yet it appears the Pirates have yet to act decisively to secure his long-term future. His pitching arsenal, featuring modern techniques and velocity unknown to past stars like Ruth and Leonard, sets him apart further.
Pressure Mounts on Pirates to Commit Fully to Paul Skenes
Despite recent trade rumors that have since diminished, the Pirates have publicly stated a commitment to building their team around Skenes. However, their offseason moves, which included signing outfielders Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier rather than shoring up the roster for sustained success, raise questions about that commitment. Still, time remains; Skenes is not eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season, giving the Pirates three full years to bolster the roster and create an environment attractive enough to retain him.
For the Pirates to keep Skenes, they must add talent that not only leads to winning seasons but also convinces him the franchise is capable of championship contention. Without these moves, the risk remains that Skenes will test free agency and potentially leave, a scenario many see as likely if his expectations remain unmet.
Financial Strength Puts Pirates in a Position to Invest or Risk Losing a Franchise Talent
The Pirates, owned by Bob Nutting, rank among the most profitable teams in Major League Baseball, yet substantial spending on a player of Skenes’ caliber has not materialized. This hesitation persists even though it is widely recognized that few players in baseball today warrant the kind of significant financial commitment that Skenes merits. His rare talent and record-breaking performances arguably demand a decisive response from management.
The team‘s current approach, which some interpret as hoarding resources, may not suffice to retain a talent who has already surpassed legendary benchmarks so early in his career. Moving forward, the Pirates face growing pressure to turn their financial strength into strategic investments that secure Skenes’ future and sustain competitive momentum.
“Paul Skenes has already given the Pirates every single conceivable reason to extend him, but he’s going to keep breaking or setting records until it really sinks into Bob Nutting and the front office’s heads, or he ends up leaving in free agency (and we all know that the latter feels far more likely at this point).”
—Anonymous Source