In a scenario that reflects the challenging landscape of Major League Baseball, Paul Skenes, who made his MLB debut just over a year ago, has already become a focal point of trade discussions. This trend highlights the precarious situation of the Pittsburgh Pirates, currently languishing in last place in the National League Central with a disheartening record of 16-33. Despite Skenes' impressive performances, the Pirates face the grim possibility of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, marking a continued struggle for a franchise that last made the postseason in 2016.

To mitigate their current plight, the Pirates could consider extending Skenes' contract, but given the team's reputation for fiscal conservatism, this seems unlikely. ESPN's Jeff Passan has noted that Skenes, at just 22 years old, is already being positioned as a potential $400 million player. Passan also mentioned on The Pat McAfee Show that, while it's doubtful Skenes will be traded this season, the Pirates might benefit from moving him at his peak value, given their current standing.

Skenes' remarkable statistics bolster this theory; he holds a 2.12 ERA, the lowest for any pitcher through their first 33 starts since the official recording of ERA began in 1912. Furthermore, he will only turn 23 on May 29, 2024, and he will not be arbitration-eligible until 2027, making him a coveted asset. The dire state of starting pitching in the league further elevates Skenes' perceived value, with Baseball Trade Values estimating his surplus value at approximately $94.8 million. Should the Pirates decide to trade Skenes, they would likely demand an extraordinarily attractive package in return, potentially transforming one elite talent into several valuable prospects to better position the franchise for future success.