Paul Skenes Unlikely to Sign Extension with Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates’ standout right-handed pitcher, Paul Skenes, is reportedly not inclined to sign a contract extension with the team anytime soon.
As one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, Skenes has five years of club control left, including the 2025 season, before hitting free agency and potentially securing one of the largest contracts in MLB history. This period includes three years of pre-arbitration (2024-2026), where he’ll earn the MLB minimum, which is around $760,000 in 2025. His current salary for this season is $875,000.
The remaining two years will be under salary arbitration (2027-2029), unless the Pirates secure an extension for those seasons.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles stated on 93.7 The Fan that the chances of the Pirates extending Skenes are slim, pegging them at just “one percent.” He explained that, beyond the financial aspect, the Pirates have not surrounded Skenes with a competitive team. Without that support, Skenes is unlikely to commit long-term, especially if the Pirates decide to trade him before then.
“Even if they have the money, you can’t force someone to sign an extension. If they don’t make the playoffs in his first few years, why would he want to stay?” Hiles said. “If they don’t contend and he knows he’ll likely be traded, why sign a long-term deal, especially with the uncertainty of a potential shortened 2027 season due to a lockout?”
Hiles noted that if the Pirates find success in the near future, the conversation around Skenes’ future could shift. If the team starts winning, especially with a postseason appearance, that might give them a chance to keep Skenes in the fold.
However, Hiles acknowledged the current lack of talent around Skenes, making it difficult to see him committing to a team that isn’t likely to compete soon.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington previously dismissed trade rumors regarding Skenes in late May.
While Hiles doesn’t expect Skenes to demand a trade immediately, he speculates that as the team’s struggles continue, Skenes may express frustration, possibly leading to a trade situation in the future.
Skenes has posted a 4-8 record in 20 starts this season, though the Pirates’ offense has been lackluster, scoring more than five runs in only four of those games. Despite his team’s struggles, Skenes ranks among the top pitchers in MLB for 2025, including a 2.01 ERA (first in the league), a .189 opposing batting average (third), and a 0.93 WHIP (fifth).
Skenes also made history as the first pitcher to start consecutive All-Star Games in his first two seasons, taking the mound for the National League at Truist Park on July 15.
No Comment! Be the first one.