There have been rumors around Paul Skenes leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates at some point, but will he actually leave?
Since being drafted, right-hander Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been one of the bigger storylines in baseball.
Skenes, the former first overall draft in the 2023 MLB Draft, has made waves since coming into the league. The right-hander made his debut in 2024, just a season after he was drafted.
But once he stepped foot on a major league mound, Skenes showed that he belonged. In his first season in the big leagues, Skenes posted a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts, throwing 133.0 innings.
His sophomore season was even better, with Skenes recording a 1.97 ERA over 32 starts. His dominance was good enough to win his first Cy Young Award, cementing him as a top pitcher in the game.
This year has been a little out of the ordinary for Skenes, with the ace posting a 3.83 ERA over 29 starts. But after a weird, rough patch of games, the right-hander has started to look more like himself lately.
But due to the lack of success that the Pirates have seen on the field, there has been all sorts fo rumors about Skenes' future with the organization. The right-hander has pushed back on the idea that he would leave the franchise, but he has also said that he wants to win.
"I don't know where that came from," Skenes said. "The goal is to win, and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh."
However, if the Pirates don't find a way to get to the playoffs soon, it could push him out the door. And the likelihood of Skenes leaving Pittsburgh does feel very real if the Pirates don't get it together.
To Pittsburgh's credit, they have been more competitive this season. But it hasn't been enough to get into the playoffs, and with a few weeks left, the odds are slim at best for the team.
Pittsburgh does have a lot of young talent across the roster, which could bode well for the future. But given how strong the National League is, it could be tough for them to break through.
Skenes can become a free agent after the 2029 season, giving the Pirates three more seasons of control. This is where they will need to prove to the ace why he should remain with the organization.
However, barring a major turnaround in how the franchise operates, Skenes could be leaving when he becomes a free agent. Or sooner, if the Pirates were to trade him.
