Fan frustration becomes a regular incident around the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team with 5 World Series championships. Another tough season unfolds, but the main focus of attention is their electrifying rookie pitcher, Paul Skenes. Rumors of a trade of this young ace have blossomed into a roar. One former Major League Baseball player even suggested the league step in if the unthinkable takes place. But you know, a simple truth is: This isn’t just about one player; it’s about the soul of a franchise and the faith of its supporters.
By mid-May 2025, the Pirates were struggling significantly. Their record stood at 15 wins and 29 losses. This placed the team in last place in the National League Central. Their offense has been particularly punchless, ranking near the bottom of the league in runs, batting average, and home runs.
While rookie phenom Paul Skenes has been a bright spot, with a 3-4 record, a stellar 2.77 ERA, and 47 strikeouts by May 13th. So it is no wonder that the speculation of trading him is there, with analysts like ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggesting it if a long-term deal seems unlikely. Former Pirate Erik Kratz echoed this, calling Skenes a “chandelier in a haunted house,” implying his talent is wasted.
The trade chatter stirred up controversy, with former MLB player Trevor Plouffe expressing strong disapproval. He didn’t just criticize; Plouffe demanded MLB intervention if the Pirates trade Skenes. “If the Pirates trade Paul Skenes, it’s in the best interest of the sport to force a change in ownership,” Plouffe declared passionately. Plouffe emphasized the broader impact on the league’s health and fan engagement. “We have to remember yes, they are 30 individual companies,” he explained, “but it doesn’t help the Yankees or Dodgers if the Pirates have no interest in playing.”
He believes baseball thrives when teams genuinely try to fill stadiums beyond promotional days. Indeed, the Pirates’ average 2025 attendance hovers around 17,269, but Paul Skenes Bobblehead Day drew a massive 37,713 fans. Plouffe even questioned Skenes’ trade value, deeming him “almost priceless” despite his limited MLB experience, highly suggesting that trading him would be a mistake.
Questions for the Pirates’ future
All this intense scrutiny naturally falls upon the Pirates’ front office and owner Bob Nutting. Critics consistently question a perceived unwillingness to invest significantly in the team’s payroll. This financial plan appears to be a constraint for them from pursuing or keeping high levels of talent, even though they receive revenue-sharing monies. This is not a new problem; the team has a history of not being able to put together a team around stars like Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole. Those patterns do indicate systemic issues that run deeper than just one rough year, contributing to the current outrage.
For the Bucs, these issues are clearly visible on the field. From 2021-24, they consistently finished near the bottom of their division. The best win-loss records during this period are 76-86, with no playoff appearances to energize the fanbase, highlighting a prolonged struggle. Average home attendance, while showing modest increases in 2023 and 2024 over a 2021 low of 10,611, remains a concern. The early 2025 number of about 17,270 per game — special events aside — reflects that the disaffection directly affects the turnstiles.
On the other hand, the only bright spot over the team’s overall struggles has been Paul Skenes. His 2024 rookie season was historic. He posted an 11-3 record with an incredible 1.96 ERA and a Pirates rookie record of 170 strikeouts. These numbers were good enough for National League Rookie of the Year and a starting position in the All-Star Game. His 2025 start (2.77 ERA, 47 K’s through May 13), however, indicates more of the same. This lone wolf only sharpens the questions about the organization’s ability to construct a team around its star to win games.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are truly at a crossroads, and the Paul Skenes situation is the spark to the flame. To trade a generational talent would probably send shockwaves and deepen fan despair. It’s a decision that could define the franchise for years. As a sign of the turbulence, the team had already fired manager Derek Shelton on May 8, 2025, following a 12-26 start and replaced him with interim manager Don Kelly. A manager change indicates a desire for improvement, many wonder: is that truly enough to steer this ship in the right direction?
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