The Pittsburgh Pirates faced a tough outing against the Cincinnati Reds, suffering a 7-1 defeat on Monday. With a record standing at 15-33, the Pirates find themselves at the bottom of the NL Central and second-worst in the entire National League. Only the struggling Colorado Rockies, sitting at 8-38, can claim a less favorable position.
This rocky start for Pittsburgh is particularly striking given the presence of Cy Young candidate Paul Skenes on their roster. Coming off his first career complete game, where he unfortunately took a 1-0 loss, Skenes has seen his season ERA drop to an impressive 2.44 over 10 starts. This performance places him fifth among qualified starters in the National League, while his 0.94 WHIP is just behind the elite Zach Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Amidst the challenges the Pirates face this season, there has been chatter around Skenes’ trade value. Recently, ESPN’s Jeff Passan discussed on the “Pat McAfee Show” how teams across Major League Baseball may be inquiring about the young star’s availability. While Passan doesn’t foresee the Pirates parting ways with Skenes, he did raise an interesting point: if the organization feels it can’t contend in the coming years, then moving Skenes while his value is high might be a savvy move.
Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report anticipates that the Pirates will shift into sell mode as the trade deadline approaches, though he believes Skenes will remain in Pittsburgh for now. Kelly noted, “There may come a day when the Pirates have to entertain the possibility of trading Paul Skenes, but things aren’t yet there.”
As for potential trade candidates within the roster, Kelly has highlighted Dennis Santana, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Joey Bart as players who could garner interest from contending teams. Santana, in particular, is seen as a valuable asset for teams looking to bolster their bullpen, either as a closer or a setup man. Meanwhile, Kiner-Falefa’s versatility and Bart’s capabilities as a catcher make them attractive options for teams seeking to strengthen their rosters.
While the Pirates navigate this tumultuous season, the conversation around Skenes and other trade prospects will undoubtedly be a focal point as they weigh their options for the future. The path ahead may be challenging, but the right moves could lay the groundwork for a more competitive roster down the line.
