The Pittsburgh Pirates have endured a dismal begin to the season to this point, and MLB followers are beginning to hear commerce rumors involving star participant Paul Skeens.
Why are the Pittsburgh Pirates struggling in 2025?
As of Could 23, the Pittsburgh Pirates are 14th within the Nationwide League and third within the Nationwide League Central Division, with solely the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles having fewer wins, with 17 wins to this point.
A 17-34 document just isn’t precisely what Pirates followers had in thoughts at this stage of the season, particularly contemplating Pittsburgh’s wealthy historical past with 5 World Collection championships.
Up to now, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who’re taking part in franchises in three- or four-game blocks of 16 sequence in MLB, have gained simply 5 video games, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals (2-1), Washington Nationals (3-1), Los Angeles Angels (2-1), Atlanta Braves (2-1) and Cincinnati Reds (2-1).
A big a part of the explanation why the Pirates are struggling is because of their weak offensive means. They have been one of many lowest scoring groups in MLB as a result of they did not have sufficient funding within the group. The final time they gained the World Collection was in 1979.
It has been a tricky few years for the Pirates total, ending final within the Nationwide League Central division in 2024 and just one spot larger in 2023.
One one who cannot take a lot of the blame for the Pirates’ lackluster 2025 season is Paul Skeens. That is as a result of the teen has put up some sturdy numbers regardless of holding a document of three wins and 5 losses to this point.
The truth is, the 22-year-old has a powerful 2.44 ERA, the twelfth finest in MLB as of Could 23, whereas permitting simply 45 hits and 19 runs, hanging out 62 batters within the course of.
The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher at present ranks tenth in WHIP within the MLB rankings with a batting common of .190, and that efficiency has different MLB followers questioning if he ought to be traded for a real World Collection contender.
Will the Pittsburgh Pirates commerce Paul Skeens?
There have been rumors of a commerce for Paul Skeens amongst supporters of MLB franchises outdoors of Pittsburgh, however the possibilities of any motion taking place appear slim to none.
The 22-year-old nonetheless has a number of years left on his contract with Pittsburgh, and it is clear the Pirates plan to construct the group round their star pitcher after deciding on Skeens with the No. 1 total decide within the 2023 MLB Draft.
Pittsburgh Pirates normal supervisor Ben Cherington instantly denied any commerce rumors involving Paul Skeens, saying no conversations have but taken place.
Requested concerning the Paul Skeens commerce, Cherington mentioned: “No, that is not a part of the dialog.”
This sturdy stance strongly means that the Pirates aren’t even contemplating potential commerce talks for Paul Skeens, but when this sort of poor efficiency continues, talks could start.
Talks about transferring him out of Pittsburgh in 2025 are unlikely, however Skeens might not be keen to signal an extension if the Pirates do not make the World Collection.
Which MLB franchise would signal Paul Skeens?
Many MLB groups will doubtless think about signing Paul Skeens if he half methods with the Pirates and his numbers replicate a star who may change into one of many highest-paid gamers in MLB.
Groups just like the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers might not be as as a result of they have already got star pitchers.
Nonetheless, there may very well be curiosity from groups close to or already within the World Collection, such because the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Crimson Sox.
