Paul Skenes didn’t flinch under the WBC’s brightest lights, pitching like it was just another day in Pittsburgh—but that very composure may accelerate his departure from the Pirates as baseball’s most valuable trade chip looms.
In a sold-out Miami stadium with millions watching, Paul Skenes delivered a performance that felt both historic and routine. Against a Dominican Republic lineup stacked with All-Stars, he pitched 4.1 innings, allowing just one run on a home run to Junior Caminero. He mixed six pitches, averaged 97.6 mph on his fastball, and stranded the bases loaded in the fourth inning. The result: a 2-1 semifinal victory that sent the U.S. to the WBC final AP News.
Skenes treated the moment with a calm that belied the stakes. “The D.R. is the toughest lineup I’ve ever faced, for sure,” he said afterward. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa didn’t hold back: “You can make the argument he’s the best pitcher in the game. Special presence, special man, wants the moment, wasn’t too big for him.” Even Dominican slugger Juan Soto, who went 0-for-2 against Skenes, remarked on his intelligence: “He likes playing with the mind of the hitters. We have to think a lot when we face him. That’s why I think he’s so special.”
What makes this WBC performance so resonant isn’t just the quality—it’s the context. Skenes, the 2024 NL Cy Young winner in his first full season at age 23, approaches international competition with the same professional poise he shows in Pittsburgh. “Before and after,” he said of the star-studded lineup, “but can’t get too caught up on that.” This mindset is why he posted a 1.08 ERA and .226 opponents’ average in the tournament, but it’s also why his future with the Pittsburgh Pirates feels increasingly precarious.
The Pirates’ Prolonged Drought: A Franchise in Despair
Skenes’ brilliance has done little to lift the Pirates out of their historic malaise. In his two full seasons, Pittsburgh finished 76-86 in 2024 and 71-91 in 2025, extending a streak of seven straight losing records. This is part of a staggering 30-year stretch that includes a record 20 consecutive losing seasons from 1993 to 2012, and the franchise hasn’t reached the World Series since winning it all in 1979 AP News.
The numbers are sobering: Skenes owns a career 1.96 ERA over 55 starts, striking out 386 while walking only 74 in 320.2 innings. Yet, he has never pitched in the playoffs. This dissonance—a generational talent on a moribund team—has fueled relentless speculation about his tenure in Pittsburgh. The Pirates, operating with the revenue of a small-market franchise, cannot realistically match the mega-contracts that await Skenes once he hits free agency.
Service Time and the Inevitable Trade Clock
Skenes’ path to free agency is accelerated by a collective bargaining agreement twist. By finishing among the top two in 2024 NL Rookie of the Year voting (which he won), he earned extra service time, making him eligible for free agency after the 2029 season instead of 2030 AP News. This clock is ticking loudly in Pittsburgh.
If Skenes stays healthy and maintains his elite performance, he will command a record contract for a pitcher—likely surpassing the $360 million mark set by Gerrit Cole. The Pirates, whose payroll consistently ranks in the lower third of MLB, cannot sustain such an outlay. The logical business move is to trade him while he still has multiple years of team control, maximizing a return of prospects to accelerate a rebuild that has sputtered for decades.
Fan Dilemma: Cherish or Trade?
This reality has created a painful schism among Pirates fans. On one hand, Skenes is the most exciting pitcher to don the black and gold since Barry Bonds; his WBC showing is a source of pride, proof that Pittsburgh can cultivate a true ace. On the other, the specter of a trade is unavoidable. Social media buzzed during the WBC with “what-if” scenarios: What if the Pirates had the resources of the Dodgers or Yankees? Could Skenes win a Cy Young in a stronger lineup context?
The fan theories are relentless. Some propose a “hometown discount” extension, but given the market size, that’s financially implausible. Others speculate about potential trade destinations—teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, or Philadelphia Phillies that combine contention needs with financial muscle. The common thread: fans want Skenes to experience postseason baseball, something the Pirates seem incapable of providing.
Why This WBC Moment Accelerates Everything
Skenes’ performance against the Dominican Republic did more than advance the U.S. in the WBC; it served as a global audition. In front of a worldwide audience, he showcased the arsenal and mentality that make him a franchise cornerstone. This visibility only increases his trade value and the pressure on Pittsburgh’s front office. General Manager Ben Cherington faces an impossible choice: cling to a homegrown star who may never win a playoff game in black and gold, or flip him for a package that could reshape the organization’s future.
The Pirates’ history is littered with stars who left for greener pastures—from Doug Drabek in the early ’90s to Andrew McCutchen a decade ago. Skenes represents the latest, and perhaps most painful, iteration of this cycle. His composure in the WBC “spotlight,” as he calls it, mirrors his steady demeanor in Pittsburgh. But that same steadiness underscores the tragedy: a pitcher of his caliber deserves a stage bigger than a struggling franchise.
For now, Skenes remains focused on the WBC final, not his future. “I’m not too caught up on that,” he said of the trade rumors. But baseball’s reality is inescapable. The Pirates’ 27 losing seasons in 30 years aren’t just a statistic—they’re a business model that demands asset optimization. Skenes, the ace who treats a WBC semifinal like a Pirates outing, is the ultimate asset, and his time in Pittsburgh may be shorter than his calm demeanor suggests.
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