The Pittsburgh Pirates are in disarray midway through the 2025 MLB season. After firing manager Derek Shelton just two weeks ago and facing numerous public relations blunders, the team finds itself in last place. The organization’s instability has sparked speculation about drastic changes. However, one move that is definitively off the table is trading their ace pitcher and reigning National League Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes. General manager Ben Cherington firmly shut down that notion, stating, “No, it’s not part of the conversation at all,” when asked if Skenes could be moved.
Offensive Struggles Persist as Paul Skenes Shines Amid Pirates’ Ongoing Inconsistencies
Offensive production has been the Pirates’ Achilles’ heel. They rank at or near the bottom of the league in nearly every major batting category, including runs scored, slugging percentage, and home runs. In fact, their recent 26-game streak of scoring four or fewer runs tied a Major League Baseball record. Even when they showed signs of life with a five-run outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pirates left 10 runners on base, underscoring their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Despite the chaos surrounding the team, Paul Skenes has emerged as a cornerstone. Just 22 years old, Skenes is under team control for years to come and remains a tremendous value, not even eligible for arbitration until after 2026. He recently threw his first complete game, showcasing his elite potential even as the Pirates lost 1-0. Pittsburgh’s poor offensive support has masked solid performances from its starting pitchers, including Skenes, Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter—all of whom have ERAs under 4.00.
Low Payroll and Thin Lineup Undermine Pirates Despite Promising Pitching and Veteran Core
The Pirates entered the season with a payroll just under $88 million, ranking among the lowest in the league. Despite this, they’ve seen limited returns, particularly from their bullpen and, more critically, their lineup. While players like Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes have long-term deals, the offensive unit lacks depth and impact, with only a few reliable contributors, such as Reynolds, veteran Andrew McCutchen, and Oneil Cruz. The lack of offensive firepower has overshadowed the team’s deep pool of promising pitching prospects.
Under Cherington’s leadership, the Pirates have built a strong pipeline of pitching talent but remain alarmingly thin in terms of position-player development. Catcher Henry Davis and second baseman Nick Gonzales have yet to establish themselves, and younger prospects like Termarr Johnson and Konnor Griffin are still years away. Cherington remains hopeful that the team can improve as the season progresses, emphasizing the need for better performance and continued development. “Everybody knows we’ve got to score more runs,” he said. “You’ve got to do the work to do it.” Despite the Pirates’ rough start, Skenes is seen as central to any turnaround, no matter how long it takes.
