Despite hope that a talented young rotation could help lift them out of the cellar of the National League Central, the 2025 season has proved to be more of the same for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The club currently possesses a dismal 15-29 record, the second-worst mark in the National League. Their anemic offense ranks last in baseball in runs scored, and besides outfielder Oneil Cruz, there aren’t many reasons for optimism. Cornerstone outfielder Brayan Reynolds, once considered one of the most consistent hitters in baseball, has a career-low .594 OPS, while third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, a former top prospect who signed an eight-year, $70 million extension in 2022, has managed just six extra-base hits in 154 at-bats. The rest of the lineup is filled with over-the-hill veterans and uninspiring youngsters, including former first overall pick Henry Davis, who has once again looked overwhelmed at the big league level with just five hits in 37 at-bats.
The one bright spot for Pirates fans has been the performance of their other recent first overall pick, Paul Skenes. The 2024 National League Rookie of the Year hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was last season but has still managed to post a 2.63 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over his first nine starts. Given his age and contract, Skenes may be the most valuable pitching asset in the game right now, and with the Pirates once again starting from scratch with the firing of manager Derek Shelton, it has led many to speculate the haul the Pirates could receive for their 23-year-old ace. This includes ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who stated on the Pat McAfee show that it may be in the Pirates’ best interest to trade Skenes right now.
“There are teams already that are going to ask about Paul Skenes at the trade deadline this year,” Passan said. “And I don’t anticipate that he is going to be moved, but there is a real argument to be made that the best thing for the Pittsburgh Pirates is to move Paul Skenes.”
Based on this report, BALLCAP Sport’s Jim Riley came up with five trade proposals for Skenes, headlined by a deal with the American League-leading Detroit Tigers. In his proposal, the Pirates would receive starting pitcher Jackson Jobe, infield prospect Kevin McGonigle, catching/first base prospect Thayron Liranzo and reserve outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy.
Though Skenes is unquestionably the best young starting pitcher in baseball, there is an argument to be made that Jobe is the second most valuable asset. The 22-year-old right-hander was the consensus top pitching prospect in baseball entering this season after dominating minor league competition in 2024, and has held his own in his rookie season despite battling control issues. And while Jobe might be a downgrade from Skenes, McGonigle and Liranzo would immediately become two of the best hitting prospects in the system. The former has one of the most polished approaches in all of the minor leagues, walking 46 times against just 28 strikeouts last season, while the latter is an intriguing switch-hitter who possesses the power and patience of a future middle-of-the-order bat. Since the Pirates have struggled mightily to develop their own hitting prospects and show no interest in partaking in free agency, their only avenue to revamping their lineup may be through trades, and McGonigle and Liranzo both have the look of future franchise cornerstones.
As for the Tigers, this trade package is as hefty as any in recent baseball history, but there are real reasons why it would be worth it. As evidenced by their 29-15 record, the Tigers are ready to compete for a World Series title right now, and pairing Skenes with reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal would give them a 1-2 punch that nobody in baseball could contend with. And while McGonigle and Liranzo have massive upside, the Tigers already have an infield overflowing with young talent, leaving both of them without a clear avenue for big-league playing time.
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