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With the season he's having, Paul Skenes is likely heading for the first Cy Young trophy of his young career. That would be a remarkable feat, especially after finishing third in the race last year, in his rookie season no less.
From a sporting point of view, it's hard to fault him for anything. What's more, on a human level, he's involved in the city of Pittsburgh and is appreciated by the fans.
Another feather in his cap is that he doesn't mince his words.
The big right-hander told the media that the Pittsburgh Pirates' 2025 season would be a lost year if changes were not made in the off-season to improve the team. Finally, an athlete who dares to publicly express his displeasure.
“This is a wasted year if we don't learn what we need to do and we don't know why we didn't go out there and do what we wanted to do,” Paul Skenes said Friday. “If those things happen, then it's a wasted year, in my opinion. @WTAE https://t.co/xrGnWrNChu
– Andrew Stockey (@astockeyWTAE) September 20, 2025
Winning baseball games
I'm sure if you asked Skenes what he'd rather win than individual trophies, he'd say he'd rather win games and possibly a World Series.
He knows full well that he's a long way from that goal with his current club, as his owner refuses to invest in his team. To such an extent that many players are cut from the lineup or placed in waivers to avoid paying bonuses. The case of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, now a member of the Blue Jays, is the best example of this.
It's hard to win games when your team has, by and large, the worst forward line in the league. Such is the case for Pittsburgh, which ranks last in many categories. Skenes may not give the opposition many points, but he can't keep score himself. He needs help, and he doesn't have much. And he can't be on the mound every game!
He also told the media that management knows what changes it needs to make to have a more competitive team on the field, and that the next step is to make them for 2026. The message is direct and to the point!
Paul Skenes' sophomore season has lived up to ALL expectations! pic.twitter.com/bGh8GxtI3P
– MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2025
Preparing to leave Pittsburgh?
If you were in Skenes' studs, would you really be interested in staying in the Pittsburgh market, when winning isn't a priority?
Skenes will be eligible for salary arbitration starting at the end of the 2026 season, for a period of three years. After the 2029 season, he'll be free as a bird.
In my opinion, such a statement sends a clear message about his expectations, and if nothing is done in this regard, he will go where his expectations are respected. He's not officially in control of his destiny, but when you're a generational talent like Paul Skenes, let's just say you can control more things than the average player.
This content was created with the help of AI.
