Pirates aren’t listening on Paul Skenes, but other teams won’t stop calling

Sometimes you can almost compare certain major professional sports franchises to spoilt children, i.e. always used to getting their own way and never taking no for an answer. This is something the Pirates and their fans are going to have to continue contending with between now and this year's MLB trade deadline on July 31.

The Pirates have stressed they have no interest in trading Paul Skenes, with general manager Ben Cherington saying last month this is not a part of any conversation. Skenes himself backed this up, as he said: "There's no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that."

Despite this public stance by Cherington, Skenes and the Pirates organization as a whole, it's not going to stop other teams inquiring. Already arguably the best pitcher in the game, the 23-year-old leads the majors in WAR and fewest hits, while also having the lowest WHIP in the NL.

The Athletic's Jim Bowden has written an article (subscription required) about 20 things he's hearing and watching for as the trade deadline approaches. And yes, this does include a reference to the Skenes situation in Pittsburgh.

Piates can expect a barrage of offers for Paul Skenes

Bowden does repeat the Pirates' mantra of having no interest in trading Skenes, but advises multiple general managers have told him this won’t stop them from making serious offers to acquire the righty. For his part, The Sporting News 1999 Major League Executive of the Year believes Cherington has to listen, with the organization having so many needs.

There's no doubt the Pirates need help, with them already all but out of the playoff picture. They're firmly rooted to the bottom of the NL Central, 16.5 games back of the division-leading Cubs and 11.0 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot.

However, despite appreciating the Pirates would conceivably receive one of the most significant return packages in MLB history, we actually agree with their current stance of refusing to move Skenes. Yes, it takes a lot more than one player to turn around the fortunes of a baseball team, but Cherington and company are best served using some patience at this stage.

Important for Pirates to maintain their stance with Paul Skenes

Since Don Kelly has taken over as manager, the Pirates have shown some signs of life, with some suggestion that he's already done enough to earn a contract extension. While believing it's too soon to make such a decision, if Kelly does manage to continue on the path he's walked so far, then he will indeed deserve that extension.

In addition, aside from Skenes' individual dominance, the Pirates' rotation has collectively performed well so far this season, ranking seventh in the majors ERA, tied for seventh in opposing team batting average, and sixth in WHIP. Bailey Falter has come along recently, top-rated prospect Bubba Chandler will eventually be promoted, and overall the signs are promising for the rotation.

Finally, it has to be included that the Pirates still have five more summers of team control with Skenes, with the likelihood he's only going to continue getting better. This is something the organization should take advantage of, at least for now, with the knowledge that even if they do eventually decide to trade him further down the road, they should still receive a hefty haul in exchange.

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