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 Might 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 up to now.
A 17-34 report is just not 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 enjoying franchises in three- or four-game blocks of 16 collection in MLB, have received 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 rationale why the Pirates are struggling is because of their weak offensive capacity. They had been one of many lowest scoring groups in MLB as a result of they did not have sufficient funding within the workforce. The final time they received the World Collection was in 1979.
It has been a tricky few years for the Pirates general, ending final within the Nationwide League Central division in 2024 and just one spot increased in 2023.
One one that cannot take a lot of the blame for the Pirates’ lackluster 2025 season is Paul Skeens. That is as a result of the teenager has put up some sturdy numbers regardless of holding a report of three wins and 5 losses to this point.
The truth is, the 22-year-old has a powerful 2.44 ERA, the twelfth greatest in MLB as of Might 23, whereas permitting simply 45 hits and 19 runs, hanging out 62 batters within the course of.
The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher presently ranks tenth in WHIP within the MLB rankings with a batting common of .190, and that efficiency has different MLB followers questioning if he must 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 exterior 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 workforce round their star pitcher after deciding on Skeens with the No. 1 general choose within the 2023 MLB Draft.
Pittsburgh Pirates basic supervisor Ben Cherington instantly denied any commerce rumors involving Paul Skeens, saying no conversations have but taken place about it.
Requested in regards to 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 type of poor efficiency continues, talks might start.
Talks about transferring him out of Pittsburgh in 2025 are unlikely, however Skeens is probably not 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 contemplate signing Paul Skeens if he half methods with the Pirates and his numbers mirror 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 is probably not as as a result of they have already got star pitchers.
Nevertheless, there could possibly be curiosity from groups close to or already within the World Collection, such because the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Crimson Sox.
