Pirates General Manager Confirms Paul Skenes Off-Limits in Trade

URGENT UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Pirates will NOT trade ace pitcher Paul Skenes, general manager Ben Cherington confirmed today during the MLB General Managers meetings in Las Vegas. This announcement comes as a relief to fans who feared a significant shake-up could alter the dynamics of Major League Baseball this offseason.

Cherington emphasized that while teams regularly inquire about Skenes’ availability, those discussions are brief and always “respectful.” He stated, “The question gets asked, and it’s always respectful. Teams have to ask the question. I suspect that won’t end. But the answer’s been consistent.”

This news is crucial as Skenes has emerged as one of the league’s top pitchers at just 23 years old, leading the majors with a staggering 1.97 ERA over 187.2 innings in 32 starts during the 2025 season. Despite his individual success, the Pirates finished the season with a disappointing 71-91 record, placing last in the National League Central for the second consecutive year.

Trading Skenes could have yielded a significant return for the Pirates, yet the franchise views him as a key building block in their efforts to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015. Cherington confirmed that the organization is focused on improving their offense, which ranked last in the majors for runs scored. “Run scoring was the thing that got in our way more than anything. We’ve got to add to that,” he stated.

As the offseason progresses, the Pirates are poised for changes. Cherington noted an increase in payroll “flexibility” that could enable the team to acquire new talent. He acknowledged the potential for adding more pitching but underscored the urgent need to bolster their offensive lineup.

With Skenes leading a promising starting rotation alongside veteran Mitch Keller and rising star Bubba Chandler, fans are eager to see how the Pirates will enhance their team in the coming months. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh to see if they can finally make a push for playoff contention.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!