The Pittsburgh Pirates began a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night. One of the biggest stories about the Pirates struggles this season has been other MLB fans calling for the team to trade away starting pitcher Paul Skenes to a serious MLB contender.
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May 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Pittsburgh will be having Skenes pitch on the mound on Friday night against the Brewers. Freddy Peralta will be the other starting pitcher for the Brewers in Friday’s game. This could be another game where Skenes throws a gem and he losses 1-0. The Pirates general manager comments about the latest potential trade rumors for the star starting pitcher.
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington Shuts Down Paul Skenes Trade Rumors Ahead of Milwaukee Brewers Series
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May 20, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers (L to R) Carmen Mlodzinski (50), Andrew Heaney (45), Mitch Keller (23) and Paul Skenes (30) walk in from the bullpen before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Before Pittsburgh began its four-game series against Milwaukee on Thursday, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington addressed the media about the latest trade rumors for the superstar pitcher. Well, Cherington shut those trade rumors down immediately and said,
“No, it’s not part of the conversation at all.”
There is no chance that Pittsburgh will trade him during the 2025 MLB season. He has pitched in 10 games for the Pirates so far this season. Skenes has a 3-5 record with a 2.44 ERA. In 62.2 innings pitched, he has given up 43 hits and 19 runs. Skenes has also walked 16 batters and has struck out 62 batters. His WHIP is 0.94.
He is 22 years old. Skenes was the number one overall pick by the Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft from the LSU Tigers. Entering Friday’s game, Pittsburgh has a 17-34 record, and they are in last place in the National League Central. As for Milwaukee, they have a 25-26 record, and they are in third place in the National League Central.
If Pittsburgh loses another 1-0 game to Milwaukee on Friday night, the MLB fans are only going to continue to say for the Pirates to trade Skenes to a contender. He has several years left with Pittsburgh’s organization, but there is a chance that he may not sign a long-term deal with the franchise if this continues to be the story for them. It’s honestly sad because the Pirates should be able to have a high leverage pitcher like Skenes throughout his entire MLB career.
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