Paul Skenes Responds to Trade Speculation Amid Pirates' Struggles

Paul Skenes, the 22-year-old ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates, chuckled when informed about general manager Ben Cherington's remarks regarding trade speculation. Cherington stated that moving the reigning National League Rookie of the Year to bolster the last-place team is "not at all part of the conversation."

“It doesn’t affect anything,” Skenes told The Associated Press after the Pirates secured a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in extra innings. “Anybody can play GM.”

While Skenes' lighthearted response reflects his confidence, it also underscores the current state of the Pirates, who find themselves far from playoff contention as Memorial Day approaches. Cherington's candid comments have drawn attention, highlighting the team's struggles.

Having celebrated his first anniversary in the majors just weeks ago, Skenes has learned that much of what circulates in media and social platforms lacks substance. “There’s no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that,” he remarked, emphasizing his focus on performance rather than external chatter.

Despite understanding that baseball is a business—an acknowledgment he made following manager Derek Shelton's dismissal on May 8—Skenes remains committed to his craft. His priority is clear: pitching effectively, regardless of trade rumors or organizational decisions.

The Pirates currently sit at the bottom of the league in runs scored, with a total of 157. The absence of a high-profile position player prospect ready to join the roster only complicates matters. “Ben’s job is to create a winning team and a winning organization,” Skenes stated, recognizing Cherington's responsibility in shaping the team's future.

Should a trade involving him ever be considered, Skenes insists he wouldn’t take it personally. “I don’t expect it to happen,” he clarified. “But if he feels that’s the right way to go, then he feels that’s the right way to go. But you know, I have to pitch well; that’s the bottom line.”

Skenes has certainly lived up to expectations since being selected first overall in the 2023 draft. The towering right-hander made an immediate impact upon his debut last May, maintaining his performance even as the team faced challenges. The Pirates recently tied a major-league record by going 26 consecutive games without scoring more than four runs, a streak that ended with a loss to Milwaukee.

In his latest outing, Skenes delivered an impressive six-inning performance against the Brewers, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight batters. As he exited the game with a 2-1 lead, fans rose to applaud him, a testament to his growing status within the franchise.

Despite not securing a win in over a month, Skenes boasts a commendable 2.32 ERA across five starts in May. Following the game, he expressed relief at the team's ability to rally for a win. “It’s nice to see us pull it out, which is something that we haven’t done as much to this point in the year,” he said, hoping it signals a positive shift.

Skenes has embraced his role as one of baseball's emerging stars since being drafted. He is fully invested in both the team and the city of Pittsburgh, despite the franchise's long history of underperformance. When asked about speculation surrounding potential trades, he remained unfazed. “I don’t feel anything good or bad toward it,” he said with a shrug.

As the Pirates navigate a challenging season, Skenes believes there has been an increase in determination since Don Kelly took over as manager. He feels he is mastering his pitching repertoire and developing chemistry with catcher Henry Davis, another top draft pick.

For someone who won’t turn 23 until next week, managing these expectations and pressures is no small feat. Skenes understands that focusing on external opinions is counterproductive. When discussing his partnership with Davis, he encapsulated his approach: “Just really got to keep doing what we’re doing, continue learning and let everything take care of itself, I guess.”