Paul Skenes Reality Hits Pirates as Bob Nutting Casts Grim Shadow Over Pittsburgh’s Future

The Pittsburgh Pirates hit the jackpot when they drafted Paul Skenes as the No.1 overall pick in 2023. Skenes’ potential to become the nation’s No. 1 pitcher was never in doubt, but the real problem has always been whether the Pirates will be able to hold the righty beyond his free agency.

Recently, when the Pirates swept the high-flying LA Dodgers at PNC Park, Skenes delivered another masterclass from the mound. Six scoreless innings, only two hits, and a walk allowed, eight strikeouts over 94 pitches. That right there is the luxury the Pirates owner Bob Nutting enjoys. And while the sensational ace seems out of reach for Pittsburgh, once his arbitration years end, MLB insider Mark Madden has a solution for Nutting.

“Give Skenes $10 million for next season, then $30 million for each of the subsequent three seasons. Buy out his arbitration years at a price he’s likely to get anyway. But giving Skenes that contract would be a genuine financial commitment to winning, or at least to the attempt. Until that happens, or something similar, it’s all a mirage dipped in wishful thinking. Cut to the chase: Nutting would never give Skenes that deal.” Like it or not, Mark Madden’s hard-hitting reality check is relevant.

Well, at the end of 2024, the Pirates’ payroll sat at $87.3 million, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts. That’s 29th out of 30 MLB teams. To start this season, they were at $85.5 million, ranking 26th. The reason? Pretty simple: owner Bob Nutting’s well-known reluctance to spend.

This comes in the backdrop to MLB insider Jeff Passan’s projection that Paul Skenes could one day land a jaw-dropping $500 million contract in free agency. A number that would make him the richest pitcher in MLB history. However, given Nutting’s track record, it’s hard to imagine the Pirates would actually put that kind of money on the table. Which brings us back to the big question: what’s the future really look like for the Pirates and for Skenes?

The Pirates are still profitable despite basement-dwelling

“The Pittsburgh Pirates, according to information received by the players’ union and confirmed by several owners, are one of the most profitable teams in all of baseball,” insider Bob Nightengale reported. How’s that possible?

Well, MLB’s revenue-sharing system is designed to help smaller-market clubs like the Pirates, who don’t generate nearly as much revenue as the big spenders. Even so, Pittsburgh’s projected Opening Day payroll was just under $90 million, per Cot’s Contracts. And they’ve consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in spending.

Their biggest free-agent splash ever? Francisco Liriano back in 2015, three years, $39 million. The last time they even-handed out a multi-year free-agent deal was to Ivan Nova in 2016 for three years, $26 million.

Now, what makes it more frustrating for fans is that PNC Park is often packed. And the crowd’s enthusiasm is still strong. So, while the front office keeps profits rolling in without championships or big signings, the risk remains that stars like Paul Skenes could eventually be lured away by teams willing to spend.