In a season that has not gone as planned for the Pittsburgh Pirates, discussions around the future of Paul Skenes are already emerging, just a year after he made his MLB debut. The Pirates currently sit at 16-33, occupying the last place in the National League Central. Despite Skenes's impressive performance on the mound, the team's playoff aspirations appear bleak, given their last playoff appearance was in 2016, and they have only made the postseason three times since 1992.

Speculation regarding a potential contract extension for Skenes remains questionable, as the Pirates are known for their frugality. ESPN's Jeff Passan noted on The Pat McAfee Show that several teams may inquire about Skenes as the trade deadline approaches, emphasizing that while a trade does not seem imminent, it would potentially benefit the Pirates to capitalize on Skenes's value if they choose to trade him for a lucrative return.

When evaluating Skenes's trade value, it becomes evident that it is substantial. His 2.12 ERA ranks as the lowest for a pitcher through his first 33 starts since earned run average became an official statistic in 1912. The 2024 NL Rookie of the Year is only set to turn 23 on May 29 and will not be eligible for arbitration until 2027, with free agency not forthcoming until after 2029. Given the current landscape of starting pitching in MLB, Skenes's value is further galvanized, and estimates from Baseball Trade Values suggest a surplus value of approximately $94.8 million. This figure is nearly double the value that Garrett Crochet had when traded away by the Chicago White Sox for multiple top prospects, highlighting that the Pirates would need a compelling offer should they decide to move Skenes, particularly in light of their current financial constraints in pursuing young talent.