Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ standout starting pitcher, is rapidly establishing himself as one of baseball’s elite players. Now in just his second season, he is poised to finish among the top three candidates for the National League Cy Young Award and has earned selections to two All-Star teams. As the No. 1 overall draft pick, Skenes has quickly become a central figure in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>Major League Baseball, drawing wide attention for his talent and future potential.
Financial Constraints Could Influence Skenes’ Future with the Pirates
The Pirates, known historically for their conservative spending habits, face a critical juncture with Skenes. His impending contract negotiations will undoubtedly demand a significant investment, placing pressure on a franchise with limited payroll flexibility. In this environment, Skenes might seek options that align better with his ambition for competitive success, raising questions about his long-term commitment to Pittsburgh.
Analyst Buster Olney Recommends Skenes Consider Forcing a Trade
Prominent MLB analyst Buster Olney suggested that Skenes could benefit from actively pursuing a trade out of Pittsburgh, drawing parallels with similar moves in professional basketball. Olney compared this approach to <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA players exerting influence over their careers to join stronger teams, which, while less common in baseball, might be an avenue for Skenes to explore.
Olney remarked,
“In the NBA, we see all the time, players will basically force their way out of an organization. You know, we have seen it with James Harden, LeBron James, making choices. It seems fairly commonplace that NBA players will do that. I don’t think in baseball that could happen very often … but I would say this: Paul Skenes is one of the players who could make it happen.”
—Buster Olney, MLB analyst
Lessons from James Harden’s Career Maneuvers
Olney’s comparison to James Harden centers on Harden’s assertive moves between NBA teams after conflicts with management. Harden’s career has involved multiple high-profile trade requests, starting after disagreements with the Houston Rockets and continuing through his stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers. These moves exemplify a player exerting control to position himself on teams with stronger championship prospects.
Implications for the Pirates’ Strategy Moving Forward
Though it might seem unlikely that Skenes would take such a hard stance on leaving Pittsburgh, his drive to contend for championships could push him in that direction. For the Pirates to retain a talent of his caliber and remain competitive, they must reconsider their traditional approach to roster management.
Success will require the team to increase payroll flexibility and invest aggressively in building a playoff-worthy roster. While drafting and developing stars like Skenes has been a strength, it cannot be the sole foundation for contention. The Pirates currently rank among Major League Baseball’s lowest spenders, a status at odds with the demands of sustained success.
How Pittsburgh manages Skenes’ future contract and surrounding roster construction will serve as a critical test of their commitment to becoming serious contenders. The choices made now will likely determine whether the Pirates remain competitive or lose one of baseball’s brightest young stars.