In a sign of the times, Paul Skenes has quickly become a topic of trade discussions, just over a year after making his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut. This development reflects the challenges facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who currently find themselves in last place in the National League Central with a disappointing record of 16-33. Despite Skenes’ impressive individual performance, the team's struggles suggest that the Pirates may be facing another season without playoff contention, as they last made the postseason in 2016 and have only reached the playoffs three times since 1992.

Although the Pirates could theoretically enhance their standing by extending Skenes' contract, such an endeavor seems unlikely given the franchise’s reputation for fiscal conservatism. ESPN's Jeff Passan noted that teams are already inquiring about Skenes ahead of the trade deadline. While it is anticipated that Skenes will not be moved, Passan argues that trading him could be the best option for the Pirates, given his value at this point in his career.

Evaluating Skenes’ trade value reveals he is arguably the most valuable trade asset in the MLB, boasting a 2.12 ERA, the lowest for a pitcher in his first 33 starts since the official ERA statistic was established in 1912. As the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, Skenes is just 22 years old, with arbitration eligibility not occurring until 2027 and free agency only arriving after 2029. The current climate of starting pitching in the league further enhances Skenes’ desirability, with estimates placing his surplus value at approximately $94.8 million. Any trade conversation involving Skenes would likely require an overwhelming offer, a position the Pirates can leverage due to their lack of urgency to part with him.