Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington stated that star pitcher Paul Skenes will remain with the team in 2026, despite ongoing trade inquiries from other clubs. Skenes, the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year and favorite for the 2025 NL Cy Young Award, has dominated in his first two MLB seasons. Cherington made the comments during the GM Meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Paul Skenes has quickly established himself as one of Major League Baseball's premier pitchers since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU. In his 2024 rookie season, the right-hander posted a 1.96 ERA over 133 innings in 23 starts, earning him the National League Rookie of the Year award and a start in the All-Star Game. This year, Skenes led the majors with a 1.97 ERA across 187 2/3 innings, along with a league-leading 0.95 WHIP and a 23.7% strikeout-minus-walk rate in the National League. For his career, he has a 1.96 ERA with 386 strikeouts in 320 2/3 innings.
Despite his excellence, Skenes has been the subject of trade rumors, including mentions ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. At the annual GM Meetings in Las Vegas, Cherington addressed the interest from other teams. "It’s always respectful. Teams have to ask the question, right?" he said. "I suspect that won’t end. But the answer has been consistent." When pressed on the Pirates' stance, Cherington was direct: "Paul Skenes is going to be a Pirate in 2026."
Skenes, who debuted in May 2024, is under club control through 2029 and won't be arbitration-eligible until after the 2026 season. While speculation persists due to the Pirates' history of limited spending and losing seasons, Cherington's comments indicate no immediate plans to move the 23-year-old ace. Skenes is expected to win the 2025 NL Cy Young Award on Wednesday night.