2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes got off to an awful start in 2026. The 23-year-old took the hill for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday against the Mets at Citi Field. And, well, things didn’t go quite according to plan.
Two disastrous plays by Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz opened the floodgates as the Mets tacked on five runs in the first inning.
…in the first inning of the first game of the year
Instead of recording both outs and getting Skenes through a quick first inning, the Pirates righthander ended up getting just two outs and throwing 37 pitches. As insider Jeff Passan later confirmed, Skenes got the hook to preserve his arm from needless stress.
While the Pirates rallied, it wasn’t enough to close the gap. The Pirates’ bullpen surrendered six more runs en route to an 11-7 defeat. The disastrous outing by Skenes, which is really no fault of his own, essentially sets the trade clock ticking.
The former first-overall pick is in the final year of his current deal. He’ll be a free agent this winter. However, he’s arbitration eligible. That situation could put the Pirates in a tough spot. If there is no certainty on Skenes wanting to remain in the Steel City, the Pirates might have to trade him.
That situation could be getting even more complicated after seeing the team playing behind him. The Pirates finished with a 71-91 record last season and in last place in the NL Central. That situation, plus the way things seem to be going this year, could be enough to get the Skenes trade clock working overtime.
Could Skenes Re-Sign in Pittsburgh?
The idea of Skenes re-signing in Pittsburgh seems like a doubtful one. Much of that depends on how the Pirates’ season unfolds. Assuming Thursday’s season-opening debacle was just a blip on the radar screen, Skenes might settle into another Cy Young-caliber season.
But if the Pirates continue to struggle, time may run out. If the righthander digs his heels in, the Pirates may have no choice but to move him. It’s a similar situation to the one the Detroit Tigers have faced with Tarik Skubal.
The difference, however, is that the Tigers are a playoff team. The Pirates aren’t even close. But the season has barely started, and there’s still plenty of time for the Bucs to surprise people.
Pirates Blockbuster Could Happen Sooner Than Expected
If the Pirates are serious about trading Skenes, the move could happen sooner than expected. The first month of the season will be crucial in determining that direction. A decent opening month could buy the Pirates some time.
But if Pittsburgh gets off to another poor start, the chatter will only pick up. There will be no shortage of suitors for Skenes. If anything, the number could pick up as the season progresses. However, not every team in the Majors will have the wherewithal to pull off such a trade.
After all, the price tag on Skenes will likely be astronomical. There’s also the situation that the righty will need a new contract. Those are two major question marks that interested teams will need to figure out before pulling the trigger.
Skenes Trade Clock Ticking after Awful Season Opener