The Pittsburgh Pirates’ transfer of top pitcher Paul Skenes appears to be a matter of when rather than if. Teams will be keeping an eye on the struggling Pirates since they aren’t building around the current National League Rookie of the Year, but it won’t be this year. What would it take to force Skenes to go, though, and which team has the best chance of doing so?
According to ESPN MLB insider David Schoenfield, the Detroit Tigers have the greatest farm system to sign the two-time All-Star to a big contract.
In order to combine Skenes with 2024 American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Schoenfield that the Tigers trade pitchers Jackson Jobe and Sawyer Gipson-Long, infielder Colt Keith, No. 8 overall prospect Max Clark, and 11th-ranked prospect Kevin McGonigle.
According to Schoenfield, “acquiring Skenes will require one of the best farm systems in the sport, and Detroit is incredibly well-positioned to make this kind of deal, with depth at both the major league and minor league levels, not to mention a payroll with only one expensive long-term commitment in Javier Baez.” “This transaction features two of the sport’s best talents, Clark and McGonigle, who are both now dominating High-A ball. Clark, a quick center fielder, is hitting.373 with a high contact rate and an OPS above 1.100, while McGonigle is hitting.429 with more walks than strikeouts. After having Tommy John surgery in June, Jobe, a former top pitching prospect, would be a good addition for the Pirates to take a chance on.
The Tigers still have No. 22 prospect Bryce Rainer, infielders Josue Briceño and Thayron Liranzo, and pitchers Jaden Hamm, Owen Hall, and Troy Melton, so even if they would have to give up a sizable haul, their minor league system wouldn’t be left empty.
Skenes is under control until 2029 and first qualifies for arbitration in 2027. The Tigers would have Skenes and Skubal as their dynamic combo through at least the 2027 season if the Pirates were prepared to trade Skenes.
Even though Skenes’ strikeout numbers are down compared to 2024, he remains elite. He tops the NL in ERA (1.94), ERA+ (220) and home runs allowed per nine (0.4), while leading baseball in pitcher bWAR at 4.8.
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