The rumors started like they always do—quietly, then all at once. Whispers of a possible trade began floating through clubhouses, talk shows, and social feeds. It is what happens when a young phenom is dominating the majors and his team is not leading the standings. And when that name is attached to a franchise that has a history of cashing in talent for prospects, people start doing the math. But this time, the math might not add up—because the man at the center of the noise has finally spoken, and just so you know, Paul Skenes is not backing down.

“When I got drafted, I came in with the intention of winning a World Series here. That hasn’t changed. I don’t think my days here are numbered by any means,” Skenes told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. That quote didn’t just silence the chatter, it flipped the narrative. Skenes isn’t just pitching lights out with a 2.45 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings; he’s also planting his flag in Pittsburgh. There’s intent in his voice, a sense that this isn’t just a pit stop in his career. He wants to build something—and he wants to do it here. But how are the Pirates responding to that? Let’s dig deeper.

Though there haven’t been a handful of speculations surrounding Skenes’ trade, it never really came from the front office. Insiders such as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the Pirates have “no intention” whatsoever to trade their prized ace before the July 31 deadline. The reasoning isn’t just sentimental; it’s strategic. Skenes signed a one-year pre-arbitration deal worth $875,000, a bargain for a player anchoring the rotation with rookie-of-the-year numbers. 

When the trade whispers reached the ears of General Manager Ben Cherington, he made sure to shut them down all for one. “It’s not part of the conversation at all,” he told the reporters, via ESPN. And why would they trade him? Skenes’ dominance is part of the glue holding this fragile team together. Moving him would send the wrong message—not just to fans, but to a clubhouse already shaken by managerial changes.

And those changes haven’t been subtle. After firing hitting coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach Justin Meccage last season, the Pirates parted ways with manager Derek Shelton following an embarrassing seven-game losing streak. The team is clearly trying to reset the culture, not tear it down. Keeping Skenes signals a rebuild around a star, not a fire sale. This is where things get interesting: while the rumors swirl and the numbers speak for themselves, Skenes’ firm stance and the Pirates’ cautious but supportive response suggest something different from the usual Pittsburgh script. This time, they might actually be holding the line and betting on a future built around their ace.

Pirates’ past hesitation with David Bednar adds context to Paul Skenes’ situation

There’s a pattern here, and it didn’t start with the latest buzz around their ace. While Skenes made it abundantly clear that he’s committed to building something in Pittsburgh, it’s worth looking at the organization’s history of trade reluctance. Well, namely, with another homegrown name: David Bednar. The closer’s name has been tossed around at nearly every deadline since 2022, and yet, somehow, he’s still anchoring the Pirates’ bullpen. That’s not due to a lack of interest.

Multiple credible reports suggest Pittsburgh’s ownership stepped in to stop front office trade efforts. Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed, ownership directly intervened to block potential Bednar trades, even as his value fluctuated and interest piled up. The Pirates’ resistance to letting Bednar go, even when his value was sky-high, mirrors their current posture with Skenes.

As Bednar’s stock dipped due to injuries and early 2025 struggles, the Pirates optioned him to Triple-A, but briefly. He’s rebounded in recent weeks with a 3.38 ERA and dominant peripherals. It now feels like déjà vu. With the team collapsing, Bednar could be on the move for real this time, especially since his contract, $5.9 million, and dwindling control through 2026 reduce his long-term appeal. Still, if ownership’s track record is any indicator, another veto isn’t off the table. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how this franchise views its identity and the value of hometown heroes.

The Pirates may be spiraling in the standings, but their refusal to part with cornerstone players like Skenes and Bednar signals a deeper desire to rewrite the narrative. As trade buzz heats up, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh: Will they finally bet on their own? Stay tuned.

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