Skenes to the big leagues

[AM22RC21CR8]

Originally Posted by PDCCollectibles

I feel like they could afford it, but they won't because the owner doesn't prioritize winning first, imo. It's sad, Pittsburgh has a rich sports tradition and history, awesome stadium as well as other solid sports teams. Pirates are the same year after year with the current ownership. I'm not even a Pirates fan, lol...

The largest free agent contract the Pirates have ever signed is three years, $39 million. Reynolds is the largest contract ever at 8 years, $106 million. No way they can jump to $52 million a year and field any kind of team around Skenes.

I'll never defend Nutting or the Pirates but they can't spend that kind of money on one player.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by AM22RC21CR8

No way they can jump to $52 million a year and field any kind of team around Skenes.

They can...the $$$ from the national TV contracts ensures that EVERY owner gets enough revenue to field a $200 million/year roster and still make a paper profit.

But Nutting probably never will....he'd rather make more profit than field a winning team.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by AM22RC21CR8

The largest free agent contract the Pirates have ever signed is three years, $39 million. Reynolds is the largest contract ever at 8 years, $106 million. No way they can jump to $52 million a year and field any kind of team around Skenes.

I'll never defend Nutting or the Pirates but they can't spend that kind of money on one player.

Yeah, the Pirates aren't go to sign Skenes or any player to a contract with an AAV that is half their payroll -- the Pirates' total payroll this season is $82 million.

My guess is they'll trade him with a year or two left in arbitration -- they traded Gerrit Cole with two years left in arbitration.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by mfw13

They can...the $$$ from the national TV contracts ensures that EVERY owner gets enough revenue to field a $200 million/year roster and still make a paper profit.

But Nutting probably never will....he'd rather make more profit than field a winning team.

There was a report earlier this year that said the Pirates aren't currently profitable:

DK Pittsburgh Sports, via reporter Dejan Kovacevic, reported in March 2025 that the Pittsburgh Pirates had an operating loss of $2.2 million for 2024, a figure that does not include debt, taxes, or depreciation. This loss occurred despite increasing revenues and was attributed to high non-player expenses, a stagnant payroll, and the folding of the team's local TV revenue.

Key Details from the Report

2024 Operating Loss:
The team reported an operating loss of $2.2 million, calculated as the difference between its total operating revenues and expenses for the year.

Expense Breakdown:
The loss was driven by substantial administrative, travel, draft, and minor league payroll costs, which totaled $171.7 million, far exceeding the player payroll of just under $123 million.

Revenue Decline:
A significant factor in the financial strain was the loss of local TV revenue, which nearly halved after the folding of AT&T SportsNet, a reduction of roughly $25 million annually.

Debt Increase:
The team's debt reached a high point under Bob Nutting's ownership due to loans taken out during the coronavirus pandemic.

Real-World Financials:
The $2.2 million figure is before factoring in debt, taxes, depreciation, and other capital expenses, meaning the actual financial loss for the team was considerably higher.

I think the issue is Nutting doesn't have the financial wherewithal to field a more competitive team.

[AM22RC21CR8]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

There was a report earlier this year that said the Pirates aren't currently profitable:



I think the issue is Nutting doesn't have the financial wherewithal to field a more competitive team.

Not sure I'd put a lot of stock in anything that DK says. I think a lot of people think that was a suck up piece for the Pirates. I think the local paper had just run an article saying the Pirates only used ticket sales, concessions, etc to pay cover payroll. But I guess we'll never know unless these owners have to release financials.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

There was a report earlier this year that said the Pirates aren't currently profitable:



I think the issue is Nutting doesn't have the financial wherewithal to field a more competitive team.

This isn't true.

https://www.si.com/mlb/pirates/news/...ofitable-teams

Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that the Pirates make a profit comparable to the top teams in baseball and that they keep the money made from revenue sharing instead of spening each season.

"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, stashing a huge chunk of their revenue sharing monies instead of investing in their team year after year," Nightengale wrote.

The Pirates have routinely spent towards the bottom of the MLB when it comes payroll, even leading to the MLB PA (Players' Union) filed grievances over their spending in the late 2010s.

[awz50]

Originally Posted by rats60

This isn't true.

https://www.si.com/mlb/pirates/news/...ofitable-teams

Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that the Pirates make a profit comparable to the top teams in baseball and that they keep the money made from revenue sharing instead of spening each season.

"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, stashing a huge chunk of their revenue sharing monies instead of investing in their team year after year," Nightengale wrote.

The Pirates have routinely spent towards the bottom of the MLB when it comes payroll, even leading to the MLB PA (Players' Union) filed grievances over their spending in the late 2010s.

So, what a pirate would do

[rats60]

Unanimous

[finfangfan]

I don’t think anybody expects Skenes to be a career Pirate. I think fans hope his sticks around at least through the final year of his contract before he gets traded.

When the time comes, I doubt the Yankees will have enough in their farm system to make the best offer for Skenes. He probably ends up going to another team before signing his dream contract to play with the Yankees. The biggest risk the Pirates face is having Skenes get injured in his trade year… that would be devastating.

[Handsome Wes]

Sarah Langs with the tidbit about players who won the Cy Young in their second season (no one has one in their first):

2025 Paul Skenes
2008 Tim Lincecum
1985 Bret Saberhagen
1985 Dwight Gooden
1981 Fernando Valenzuela (rookie)

...that's a great group but it's not one that inspires confidence -- they burned bright early but didn't really have the back end of the career that you'd hope for.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

I don’t think anybody expects Skenes to be a career Pirate. I think fans hope his sticks around at least through the final year of his contract before he gets traded.

When the time comes, I doubt the Yankees will have enough in their farm system to make the best offer for Skenes. He probably ends up going to another team before signing his dream contract to play with the Yankees. The biggest risk the Pirates face is having Skenes get injured in his trade year… that would be devastating.

The story about Skenes wanting to play for the Yankees is fake.

https://www.si.com/mlb/paul-skenes-r...ay-for-yankees

If Skenes decides to be a free-agent, I expect him to be traded to and sign with the Dodgers. They have the assets to trade for him, Skenes is from Southern California, his family lives there and the Dodgers will match any offer.

[Handsome Wes]

Okay, so quick question, say there is a 12-year, $500 million offer on the table. Assuming the Pirates are willing to spend money, who says no?

It comes out to about $42 million per year, which is under market value, but it also buys out the four years before free agency (three arbitration years, one pre-arb).

[THE(NEXT)LEVEL]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

Sarah Langs with the tidbit about players who won the Cy Young in their second season (no one has one in their first):

2025 Paul Skenes
2008 Tim Lincecum Size/delivery/injury
1985 Bret Saberhagen Inconsistent
1985 Dwight Gooden Drugs
1981 Fernando Valenzuela (rookie) Shoulder injury

...that's a great group but it's not one that inspires confidence -- they burned bright early but didn't really have the back end of the career that you'd hope for.

Other than Saberhagen, the other guys didn't have quite the backend due to injuries/off field issues. This analogy is a poor one I believe. Just because they flamed out after winning the cy in their second year, doesn't mean his chances are greater than another pitcher of faltering.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

Sarah Langs with the tidbit about players who won the Cy Young in their second season (no one has one in their first):

2025 Paul Skenes
2008 Tim Lincecum
1985 Bret Saberhagen
1985 Dwight Gooden
1981 Fernando Valenzuela (rookie)

...that's a great group but it's not one that inspires confidence -- they burned bright early but didn't really have the back end of the career that you'd hope for.

On that list, the only ones who won ROY as well are Gooden and Fernando.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by rats60

The story about Skenes wanting to play for the Yankees is fake.

https://www.si.com/mlb/paul-skenes-r...ay-for-yankees

If Skenes decides to be a free-agent, I expect him to be traded to and sign with the Dodgers. They have the assets to trade for him, Skenes is from Southern California, his family lives there and the Dodgers will match any offer.

And this is why mlb needs a salary cap.

[jmarascojr]

Livvy seems more excited about these awards and accolades than he does

The Pirates will trade him at some future trade deadline, he'll be a hired gun for a playoff team and then sign with whoever he wants the next year...

[JRX]

He's not a fa until 2030. Likely gets traded then signs a massive extension buying out his years of arbitration.

[PeteD]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Yeah, the Pirates aren't go to sign Skenes or any player to a contract with an AAV that is half their payroll -- the Pirates' total payroll this season is $82 million.

My guess is they'll trade him with a year or two left in arbitration -- they traded Gerrit Cole with two years left in arbitration.

Same with Glasnow.

[jhssketchcards]

Remarkable…
2021 1st Team All-American (Air Force)
2022 1st Team All-American (Air Force)
2022 John Olerud Award (Best 2-way player)
2023 NCAA National Champion
2023 College World Series Outstanding Player
2023 1st Team All-SEC
2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year
2023 1st Team All-American
2023 NCAA Pitcher of the Year
2023 Dick Howser Award (College POY)
2023 MLB 1st Overall Draft Pick
2024 All-Star Game Starter
2024 NL Rookie of the Year
2025 All-Star Game Starter
2025 NL ERA Leader
2025 NL Cy Young Award

…and he’s only 23

It’s fair to say no other pitcher has ever accomplished this much both in college and first 2 years as a pro. Not even close. Truly dominating.

And to think he wasn’t toiling away as a 12-13 year old at some pitcher factory maxing out every throw “trying” to throw hard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by jhssketchcards

Remarkable…
2021 1st Team All-American (Air Force)
2022 1st Team All-American (Air Force)
2022 John Olerud Award (Best 2-way player)
2023 NCAA National Champion
2023 College World Series Outstanding Player
2023 1st Team All-SEC
2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year
2023 1st Team All-American
2023 NCAA Pitcher of the Year
2023 Dick Howser Award (College POY)
2023 MLB 1st Overall Draft Pick
2024 All-Star Game Starter
2024 NL Rookie of the Year
2025 All-Star Game Starter
2025 NL ERA Leader
2025 NL Cy Young Award

…and he’s only 23

It’s fair to say no other pitcher has ever accomplished this much both in college and first 2 years as a pro. Not even close. Truly dominating.

And to think he wasn’t toiling away as a 12-13 year old at some pitcher factory maxing out every throw “trying” to throw hard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think Skenes is the best pitcher in the game today, and he’s a very rare prospect to deliver (over-deliver) on the hype.

I’m trying to comp him to Bob Feller, but I’m having a couple problems that I need help with. Feller didn’t go to college - he started when he was a 17-year-old high school student (and graduated later). Then he went into the service (for 3 years) after his 22-year-old season… with a 37+ WAR.

No knock of Skenes - he’s the best we have right now, but I see Feller as a better and more accomplished pitcher at this point in their lives.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

I think Skenes is the best pitcher in the game today, and he’s a very rare prospect to deliver (over-deliver) on the hype.

I’m trying to comp him to Bob Feller, but I’m having a couple problems that I need help with. Feller didn’t go to college - he started when he was a 17-year-old high school student (and graduated later). Then he went into the service (for 3 years) after his 22-year-old season… with a 37+ WAR.

No knock of Skenes - he’s the best we have right now, but I see Feller as a better and more accomplished pitcher at this point in their lives.

Bob Feller's best season he had an ERA+ of 163. It is tough to compare a guy who pitches 6 innings to one who pitches 9, but Skenes is as good as any pitcher of the live ball era at this age in my opinion.

[awz50]

Originally Posted by JRX

He's not a fa until 2030. Likely gets traded then signs a massive extension buying out his years of arbitration.

Future Red Sox

[coltsnsox07]

Amazing that his W-L was 10-10, on a real team he would probably have been 19-1

[cnewby]

Originally Posted by awz50

Future Red Sox

This would make sense if not for the fact that hes mentioned wanting to be a Yankee numerous times.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by cnewby

This would make sense if not for the fact that hes mentioned wanting to be a Yankee numerous times.

Except he hasn't. That was a fake story.