Paul Skenes Trade Rumors Shut Down By Pirates GM, What Are Team's MLB Offseason Plans?

Don't worry, Pittsburgh Pirates fans. Paul Skenes isn't going anywhere this offseason.

"The question gets asked, and it's always respectful," Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday when discussing trade inquiries about the star pitcher, per ESPN's Jorge Castillo. "Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won't end. But the answer's been consistent."

With Skenes, Mitch Keller and highly regarded prospect Bubba Chandler, starting pitching is a strength for Pittsburgh. However, its offense was last in the league in runs scored during the 2025 campaign.

Given that as the backdrop, Cherington's comments on what the team plans to do with additional payroll "flexibility" comes as no surprise.

"We believe our pitching is a strength," Cherington said. "Doesn't mean we wouldn't want to add more pitching. We will certainly be opportunistic on the pitching side. There are some things that we'd like to do on the pitching side, but run scoring was the thing that got in our way more than anything. And we've got to add to that."

Improved offense would help the Pirates compete after nine straight seasons of fourth- or fifth-place finishes in the National League Central, including two straight last-place finishes with Skenes on the roster.

Those struggles even with arguably the best pitcher in the league underscores why there would be trade discussions even though he is just 23 years old. Pittsburgh has been unable to build a contender around Skenes early in his career and is seemingly always in rebuilding mode.

Trading him would give the Pirates a treasure chest of prospects in return, which would bolster those rebuilding efforts. It would also allow the team to get a significant return before free agency even becomes a serious discussion since there are still four years of team control remaining on his deal.

Considering Pittsburgh was 23rd in the league in payroll last season and is never known as one of baseball's biggest spenders, it is difficult to envision it being willing to pay what could be a record contract for Skenes when he does hit free agency.

But there is plenty of time between now and when that will be a concern, so the Pirates aren't going to trade him and instead attempt to build a contender around him in the near future.