This week’s Batting Around roundtable from CBS Sports MLB experts has stirred up a real debate: should the Pittsburgh Pirates trade Paul Skenes? With takes from analysts like Dayn Perry, R.J. Anderson, Matt Snyder, and Mike Axisa, the discussion digs into what it would mean to move a player like Skenes.
As we wade into this hot topic, it’s honestly tough to ignore the different perspectives flying around about trading one of baseball’s brightest young pitchers.
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Paul Skenes: A Rising Star in MLB
Paul Skenes has made a name for himself as one of the game’s top pitchers, and he did it fast. The Pirates picked him No. 1 overall less than two years ago, and already, his talent jumps off the screen.
He’s barely got a year of MLB service time, but he’s become the Pirates’ cornerstone. With team control through 2029, Skenes offers a ton of value at a bargain rate.
The Case Against Trading Skenes
Dayn Perry doesn’t mince words—he thinks trading Skenes is a ridiculous idea. In his view, you don’t even consider moving a player this valuable so early in his career.
Perry says you should build around Skenes, not ship him off. If the Pirates traded him now, it would look like they’re giving up on their future—or their fans.
R.J. Anderson takes it a step further, saying any GM who even thinks about trading Skenes should probably just pack their bags. Skenes isn’t even arbitration eligible yet, and Anderson sees that as a golden opportunity.
He believes trading Skenes would be a massive blunder. To him, letting go of a true No. 1 starter would show the front office doesn’t understand what they’ve got.
The Financial and Strategic Implications
Matt Snyder looks at the money and the bigger picture. Skenes is locked in through 2029, and Snyder thinks trading him would basically tell the fans the Pirates aren’t serious about contending anytime soon.
He also calls out the Pirates for not doing enough this offseason to give Skenes a real supporting cast while he’s still cheap. Snyder says even considering a trade would be almost unthinkable.
The Value of a No. 1 Starter
Mike Axisa jumps in to stress how rare it is to have a No. 1 starter like Skenes. Sure, he admits there are reasons you might consider a trade—the Pirates are struggling, pitchers get hurt, and the return could be huge.
But Axisa thinks you can’t put a price on a true ace. He figures it’s easier to fill out the rest of the roster than to find another Skenes, so why not focus on building around him?
Long-Term Impact on the Franchise
Trading someone like Paul Skenes would have ripple effects for the Pirates. It would likely hurt their chances of contending soon and could damage the team’s reputation with its fans.
Whether they keep or trade Skenes will say a lot about how serious the organization is about winning—and what kind of future they’re planning for.
The Importance of Team Control
Team control is a big part of the debate. Skenes, with so little MLB experience, gives the Pirates years of affordable production.
This lets the team spend resources elsewhere while still getting Skenes’ best on the mound. If they trade him, they lose that edge and maybe mess up their long-term plans.
Building Around a Franchise Player
Building around a franchise player isn’t a new idea in baseball. The best teams usually have a cornerstone guy to build around, and Skenes fits that bill.
He’s a rare chance for the Pirates to put together a legit contender centered on a top-tier pitcher. The real test is making the right moves to get the most out of his talent.
The Role of the Front Office
The front office has to get this right. General Manager Ben Cherington and his crew have to juggle roster construction, player development, and the budget to make it work.
The whole Skenes debate just puts a spotlight on how much these decisions matter. Can the Pirates’ leadership make the right calls? That’s what’ll shape their future, for better or worse.
The debate about trading Paul Skenes really says a lot about his value and the tough choices teams face. He’s a rare talent, and honestly, you can feel the weight of every decision the Pirates make right now.
Most CBS Sports MLB experts seem to agree: dealing Skenes would be a huge mistake. The Pirates have to build around him and use his abilities to shape a stronger roster.
If you want to dive deeper, check out the full roundtable on CBS Sports. There’s plenty more to chew on there.
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