Paul Skenes Reality Hits Pirates as Bob Nutting Casts Grim Shadow Over Pittsburgh’s Future

The Pirates have suddenly gone from the basement to cloud nine. After spending most of the season as bottom dwellers, they’ve ripped off 11 wins in their last 15, swept the Dodgers, lead MLB in shutouts, and have Paul Skenes looking like the real deal. Moreover, Don Kelly has them sitting at .500, Konnor Griffin is on the way, and the optimism in Pittsburgh is borderline unbearable.

Well, it feels like they just found their stride. And regarding Skenes, in the series finale against L.A., Skenes tossed six scoreless innings, allowed only two hits and a walk, and struck out eight on 94 pitches. But as the season winds down and a postseason berth is out of reach, reality sets in. If you know, for all the buzz, the Pirates’ hopes still hinge on Skenes. And that’s a tough place to be.

“Give Skenes $10 million for next season, then $30 million for each of the subsequent three seasons. Buy out his arbitration years at a price he’s likely to get anyway. But giving Skenes that contract would be a genuine financial commitment to winning, or at least to the attempt. Until that happens, or something similar, it’s all a mirage dipped in wishful thinking. Cut to the chase: Nutting would never give Skenes that deal.” Like it or not, MLB insider Mark Madden’s hard-hitting reality check is relevant.

Well, at the end of 2024, the Pirates’ payroll sat at $87.3 million, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts. That’s 29th out of 30 MLB teams. And to start this season, they were at $85.5 million, ranking 26th. The reason? Pretty simple: owner Bob Nutting’s well-known reluctance to spend.

This comes in the backdrop to MLB insider Jeff Passan’s projection that Paul Skenes could one day land a jaw-dropping $500 million contract in free agency. A number that would make him the richest pitcher in MLB history. However, given Nutting’s track record, it’s hard to imagine the Pirates ever putting that kind of money on the table. Which brings us back to the big question: what’s the future really look like for the Pirates and for Skenes?

The Pirates are still profitable despite basement-dwelling

“The Pittsburgh Pirates, according to information received by the players’ union and confirmed by several owners, are one of the most profitable teams in all of baseball,” insider Bob Nightengale reported.

How’s that possible?

Well, MLB’s revenue-sharing system is designed to help smaller-market clubs like the Pirates, who don’t generate nearly as much revenue as the big spenders. Even so, Pittsburgh’s projected Opening Day payroll was just under $90 million, per Cot’s Contracts. And they’ve consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in spending.

Their biggest free-agent splash ever? Francisco Liriano back in 2015, three years, $39 million. The last time they even-handed out a multi-year free-agent deal was to Ivan Nova in 2016 for three years, $26 million.

Now, what makes it more frustrating for fans is that PNC Park is often packed. And the crowd’s enthusiasm is still strong. So, while the front office keeps profits rolling in without championships or big signings, the risk remains that stars like Paul Skenes could eventually be lured away by teams willing to spend.

The post Paul Skenes Reality Hits Pirates as Bob Nutting Casts Grim Shadow Over Pittsburgh’s Future appeared first on EssentiallySports.