Paul Skenes, the standout pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, voiced frustration after the team‘s trade deadline decisions failed to bolster an already struggling lineup. Despite being a top Cy Young candidate in his second MLB season, Skenes is largely carrying the team on his own and had hoped the Pirates would add offensive talent to support him. The Pirates opted not to pursue major league hitters at the deadline, leaving Skenes doubtful about the 2025 lineup’s potential.
Trade Decisions Raise Questions About Front Office Strategy
The Pirates made several moves during the trade deadline that left fans and players confused. One of the most notable trades saw the team sending their reliable bullpen arm David Bednar to the New York Yankees in exchange for three minor league prospects. Reports suggest GM Ben Cherington had access to higher-ranked prospects but chose a different package instead.
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
While Key’Bryan Hayes was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, which was seen as the best move of the deadline, the Pirates did not move several players with expiring contracts. This lack of aggressive roster reshuffling left Skenes and others questioning the team’s direction for the remainder of the season.
Skenes Hopes for Future Offensive Improvements Despite Immediate Disappointments
After the deadline, Skenes expressed hope that the minor league prospects newly acquired could rise through the ranks quickly, and that the salary space freed by trades might be leveraged to improve offense in the offseason.
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.
Paul Skenes’ Dominance on the Mound Contrasts Sharp Team Offensive Struggles
Skenes has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. His 2.02 ERA leads the National League, and he has struck out 154 batters across 138 innings with a complete game to his credit. Despite these impressive stats, his win-loss record stands at 6-8—an outcome heavily influenced by the Pirates’ poor offensive production.
Pittsburgh currently ranks last in MLB for home runs and runs scored, and is 26th in batting average. This offensive slowness has contributed to the team’s disappointing 48-64 record. Meanwhile, the pitching staff’s ERA remains in the league’s top half, highlighting the stark contrast between pitching and hitting performances.
Implications of Trade Deadline Choices on Pirates’ Prospects and Next Season
The trades at the deadline did little to aid the current season’s lineup because most of the players acquired remain in the minor leagues. Though the front office may be laying groundwork for 2026, Skenes’ comments reflect concern that the team’s current strategy may prolong struggles.
As the Pirates move deeper into the year, the ace pitcher is already focusing beyond 2025, hoping the new arrivals can rebuild offensive strength for the future. Without significant reinforcement, however, the team’s ongoing offensive woes risk escalating frustrations for players and fans alike.