UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ General Manager, Ben Cherington, has confirmed that ace pitcher Paul Skenes will not be traded this offseason, putting an end to ongoing speculation about his future in Major League Baseball. During the General Managers meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Cherington emphasized that while teams frequently inquire about Skenes, the answer remains a firm “no.”
Cherington stated, “The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful,” highlighting the persistent interest from various clubs. However, he reassured Pirates fans that Skenes is viewed as a crucial building block for the franchise as they aim for a postseason appearance for the first time since 2015.
Skenes, at just 23 years old, has already established himself as one of the premier pitchers in the league. He recorded an impressive 1.97 ERA over 187.2 innings across 32 starts in the 2025 season, leading the majors in earned run average. Despite his stellar performance, the Pirates finished the season with a disappointing 71-91 record, placing last in the National League Central for the second consecutive year.
The discussions surrounding a potential trade for Skenes stem from the mounting frustration over the Pirates’ lack of success. Cherington acknowledged that although trading Skenes could yield a significant return, the organization is committed to developing a competitive team around him. “We believe our pitching is a strength,” Cherington added, referring to the team’s promising rotation, which also includes veteran Mitch Keller and top prospect Bubba Chandler.
Looking ahead, the Pirates are set to prioritize offensive improvements this winter, aiming to bolster a lineup that ranked last in the majors for runs scored in 2025. Cherington noted that the team now has greater payroll flexibility to acquire talent, stating, “Run scoring was the thing that got in our way more than anything. And we’ve got to add to that.”
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will remain on the Pirates’ efforts to build a stronger team around Skenes, whose future in Pittsburgh is now more secure than ever. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Cherington and his team work to reshape the roster and finally return the Pirates to contention.