MLB Exec Talks Paul Skenes' Cy Young Chances, Says Only an 'Idiot' Cares About SP Wins

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes' record may not prevent him from potentially winning the 2025 National League Cy Young Award

“Look, I think Paul Skenes cares immensely about wins, and I’m glad he does," an MLB executive told Jayson Stark of The Athletic. "He should. But he’s not voting for the Cy Young. … I want Paul Skenes to care because it makes him a better pitcher. But if you’re filling out a ballot and you care, you are an idiot.”

The executive also called pitching wins a "dumb, antiquated statistic,” per Stark.

Skenes has remained stellar after earning NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, continuing to establish himself as one of the top starters in the majors.

Despite his 4-7 record, he owns a 1.94 ERA and 0.922 WHIP while racking up 125 strikeouts compared to a mere 30 walks in 116 innings of work.

Skenes' record is largely due to the lack of run support that he's received, as Pittsburgh's lineup has struggled mightily throughout the start of the 2025 season.

The Pirates have scored just 310 runs this year and own an OPS of .644 as a team, with both numbers representing the worst marks among all NL squads.

Pittsburgh has also failed to score more than two runs in five of Skenes' past six starts. The right-hander owns a record of 0-1 over that span despite allowing just six earned runs in 32.2 innings.

With Skenes emerging as a threat to secure the Cy Young Award this season, there's belief that his record shouldn't hurt his candidacy.