Pirates Declare Skenes, Cruz Untouchable in Trades

Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' ace pitcher, has been the subject of trade speculation amid the team's ongoing struggles. However, the Pirates' front office has explicitly stated that both Skenes and shortstop Oneil Cruz are untouchable and will not be traded, signaling their intent to build the franchise around these young stars. While insiders and former executives have discussed hypothetical trade packages with teams like the Dodgers and Red Sox, these remain purely speculative. Analysts widely agree that the Pirates should focus on improving their offense rather than trading away core talent. The team's ownership continues to face criticism for maintaining a low payroll and not showing enough commitment to fielding a competitive team. Keeping Skenes and Cruz as foundational players is seen as the best strategy for restoring the Pirates' success and fan support.