Paul Skenes Aims for Pirates’ Success Despite Trade Rumors
Paul Skenes, the standout pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, recently clinched the National League Cy Young Award, yet he finds himself addressing swirling rumors about a potential exit from the team. Speculation has arisen regarding his desire to be traded, particularly with the New York Yankees, but Skenes firmly stated, “The goal is to win, and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh.”
During a press conference on Wednesday night, Skenes responded to a report citing an anonymous Pirates player claiming he was “hoping for a trade” before becoming a free agent in 2029. Skenes dismissed the report, emphasizing that he did not think much about it. “The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win,” he remarked, expressing his commitment to changing that narrative alongside his teammates.
The Pirates, who finished last in the National League Central with a 71-91 record in 2025, are keen on retaining Skenes, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft. General Manager Ben Cherington corroborated Skenes’ remarks, stating that inquiries about his availability are met with a consistent response. “The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful,” Cherington noted during the MLB general managers meetings.
Skenes’ accomplishments this season are noteworthy. He became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in consecutive seasons. In 2025, he led Major League Baseball in earned run average (ERA) with a remarkable 1.97, striking out 216 batters across 187.1 innings during his first full season.
Despite his individual success, Skenes faced challenges as the Pirates struggled offensively. He finished the season with a 10-10 record, narrowly avoiding the distinction of being the first Cy Young-winning starting pitcher to end with a losing record. He managed to win three of his final four decisions, a testament to his resilience on the mound.
Looking ahead, Skenes remains hopeful about the Pirates’ future. “I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that,” he stated, expressing confidence that the team is closer to contention than many believe. While he acknowledged disappointment in missing playoff contention, he also viewed the late-season games as an opportunity for personal growth. “It allowed me to try some new things in August and September that I wouldn’t have gotten to try if we were playing for the playoffs,” he reflected.
As the offseason approaches, the focus turns to how the Pirates can build on their foundation and possibly reshape their roster while keeping their star pitcher in the fold. The coming months will be crucial as Skenes, Cherington, and the Pirates organization work towards a common goal: transforming Pittsburgh into a competitive force in Major League Baseball.
