Will Paul Skenes be traded by the Pirates this year? It’s the question buzzing around Pittsburgh and beyond. This is a topic that has fans, analysts, and insiders buzzing with speculation. But with no official word from the club, the situation remains wrapped in uncertainty. So, while the speculation is getting high, every day brings fresh perspectives and insider chatter, feeding the growing curiosity.

Now, the latest development adds yet another twist to the storyline: a newly surfaced trade scenario that could shift the entire conversation.

But apart from the poor outing by the Pirates this year, all the discussions are about the star pitcher only. Why?

Because amidst the many struggles plaguing the Pirates’ organization, Paul Skenes has emerged as a rare bright spot over the past two years. He is now the only beacon of hope in an otherwise turbulent stretch. Yet despite his promise, many fans fear the front office might eventually push him out of Pittsburgh. The growing sentiment among the fanbase is that Skenes deserves a shot with a true contender, and that a trade might be both inevitable and necessary for his career trajectory.

Well, things might not be true. At least MLB insider Jon Heyman thinks so.

“Paul Skenes is not getting traded. No chance, no way, no how, is the way I heard it. While there’s a bit of logic to such a scenario, superstars just aren’t traded by anyone with 1 year service time, and the Pirates remain determined to build around Skenes.”

Reportedly, the Pirates, at least publicly, remain committed to building around Paul Skenes. They view him as a foundational piece of their rotation and a key part of the franchise’s future. Moreover, with team control through 2029, the club holds considerable leverage. However, under Bob Nutting’s ownership, the Pirates have rarely opened the checkbook, spending just $19.95 million this past offseason. So yes, trading rumors will be fueled until the club makes an official statement.

Hence, this financial restraint has only fueled skepticism about the team’s willingness to invest in keeping a rising star like Skenes for the long term. Although it is also true that a long-term extension could buy out several arbitration years and secure Skenes’ place in Pittsburgh for the long haul.

Anyway, it is. Heyman assured that there will be no trade of Skenes from the Pirates.

But the fans seem not to be on the same page as the club here. They are following Heyman’s X account, sharing their view about why the Pirates will be wrong in not trading Skenes!

Fans are calling out the Pirates’ wrong move

Fans are hoping that keeping Paul Skenes might signal hope for the future. But not trading him could prove to be a costly miscalculation for the Pirates.

A no-nonsense opinion shared by one fan. Bad move, why? Well, Skenes is one of the most valuable young arms in baseball, and his trade value may never be higher. So, holding onto him during a rebuild risks wasting his prime years on a team that isn’t yet ready to contend. There will be a risk that by the time the Pirates are truly competitive, Skenes could be deep into arbitration, injured, or eyeing free agency. Considering the limited payroll of the Pirates, will they be able to accommodate?

While Heyman opined that the Pirates are looking to build their team around Skenes, is it true? One user thinks the Pirates are keeping Skenes just to push their merchandise sales. Yes, Skenes’s rise to stardom has already had a tangible impact on the Pirates off the field. His debut has ignited a surge in merchandise sales. For instance, his rookie debut patch autographed card fetched a staggering $1.11 million. Moreover, Skenes/Jones ’24 shirts and other related merchandise have flown off the shelves, turning him into not just the face of the franchise but a marketing phenomenon. So, the economic model might be driving the Pirates’ decision not to move Skenes.

“Build around skenes we all know they aren’t spending shit.” Fans are finding it funny about how Heyman projected the Pirates to be building around Skenes. For the unversed, the Pirates rank 26th in MLB payroll, spending just $88 million in 2025. Now, this figure underscores their ongoing reluctance to invest in a contending roster. Despite boasting promising young talent like Paul Skenes, the front office’s unwillingness to spend competitively continues to hinder the team’s ability to take the next step.

“He’s a future Met.” Paul Skenes in the Mets? Well, don’t come to any conclusion, and it is just a speculation. But hey, Skenes could be a valuable addition to the Mets. Imagine pairing him with Kodai Senga, and potentially other high-end arms. That would give the Mets a playoff-caliber rotation for years to come. Moreover, the Mets are actively trying to build a sustainable contender, and Skenes would instantly give them a top-tier arm. The Pirates could also get a good deal from a deep-pocketed team like the Mets.

“Ok, but they will definitely trade him two years from now.” Considering the long history of the Pirates in trading away big names, fans are sure that if not now, Skenes will eventually be traded out in the next 2 years. Remember Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen, and Tyler Glasnow? They all got traded by the Pirates before they proved their worth. Hence, trading Skenes at his peak is nothing surprising for the Pirates’ fans.