When the Pittsburgh Pirates’ winning odds were stacked against them, someone had to be held accountable. And it wasn’t the players on the field or the man behind their payroll, but their manager. After a poor 12-26 record, the team’s first move was to fire their sitting manager, Derek Shelton. Following his exit, bench coach Don Kelly will be taking over. The Pirates believe Kelly will bring “the change” they have been looking for.

Will he be able to turn things around? Well, Bob Nutting believes so. By his account, a managerial switch can drive the much-needed shift. Post Shelton’s exit, he acknowledged that this season has been quite frustrating for the team as a whole.

Little did he know that his move to release Shelton was going to backfire with accusations over the organizational dynamics.

After Shelton’s departure, divided opinions were drawn, but one reaction was collective: It was unfair to hold Shelton accountable despite the team’s deeper organizational problems. It’s funny how the ownership’s continuous unwillingness to invest in their players wasn’t raised, while Shelton became the scapegoat.

The Pirates announced Shelton’s departure on 8th May, and in the aftermath, their star pitcher Paul Skenes dropped a candid reaction with Talkin Baseball in his classic style.

Skenes briefly stated, “I wasn’t shocked; we’re 12-26. Someone’s gotta be held accountable. Unfortunately, right now it’s him.”  Certainly, if Nutting fails to acknowledge the deeper issues under the surface, “someone” had to be called out, and it was Shelton.

Later, Skenes also acknowledged, “We’re going to grow. We better grow. If we don’t grow, it’s a completely lost season.” The Pirates have lost a significant number of games, are ranked lowest in the league, and have had a long losing streak. Skenes cannot take any more of it. Bats go weak against his fastballs, and he has reached the limit of watching the lead slip through.

Not to forget, the speculations around his future in Pittsburgh are getting louder. If Nutting fails to lock him in with a multi-million contract, Paul Skenes will probably end up with a team that sees his value. Perhaps, as the fans believe, he will wind up in the Bronx.

Pirates’ star pitcher Skenes to end up in New York?

Right now, it has started to feel like fans are probably manifesting Skenes to be a future Yankee. No, it doesn’t sound far-fetched if you think about it. Amidst the Pirates’ slump, it’s Skenes who still keeps the spark of the team alive. However, he thrives on growth, not back-to-back losses. The way he nonchalantly reacted to Shelton’s exit, fans want to believe that he won’t be in Pittsburgh for long.

The one whose fastballs effortlessly exceed 100 mph deserves a franchise that matches his value, and guess which team was recalled? Yes, the New York Yankees. As fans put it, “He’s hellbent on New York.” His dominance, paired with his glove, would be cherished in Yankee Stadium.

Skenes wasn’t “shocked” by Shelton’s exit. In fact, he explicitly said, “Someone gotta be held accountable.” That led fans to believe that Skenes’ time in Pittsburgh is running short, and he will be seen in another uniform anytime soon. “Sounds like a guy who can’t wait to get the hell out of Pittsburgh.” There is nothing wrong if Skenes wants to get out of Pittsburgh and explore his way with other big-budget teams. Given the Pirates’ losing record, Skenes can definitely do better.

Well, from one angle, it also seems like his time with the Pirates is prepping him to be ready for the Bronx’s spotlight. Skenes is certainly destined for a bigger stage: “Future Yankee in the making.” His skills are elite; his fastballs look like an F-15E strike that cuts through the air. It’s like he is built for a top franchise in the league.

Skenes’ response to Shelton’s exit led fans to believe that his loyalty to the Pirates is wearing thin. However, he can’t be blamed. “He just wants to play for the Yankees. Can’t blame him!” The Yankees are at their prime right now, and so is Skenes. He would make a perfect fit to play alongside the Bronx Bombers. After all, his star power deserves a team with a high payroll.

It is a rough patch for the Pirates, and Skenes will do everything to make the team get out of the slump. But it might only be a matter of time till he is wearing the Pirates’ uniform. “Poor guy just wants to be a Yankee. Soon.” The word of his trade is so loud out there that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he lands in the pinstripes anytime soon.

It doesn’t seem like an intuition anymore; it’s more like his trade from the Pirates is destined. Well, surely the Pirates’ nation won’t sit well with it. But it is what it is. And now, it seems inevitable.