Paul Skenes Rejects Contract Talks Amid Pirates Fan Discontent

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, has not prioritized contract extension talks despite his stellar debut season, where he boasted an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA. Skenes expressed confidence in the team's potential for improvement, attributing it to a young core and new coaching staff despite the Pirates' lack of offseason activity. Fans are anxious about the possibility of losing Skenes, especially given the franchise's history of trading star players, prompting calls for ownership changes at recent fan events. The Pirates recently secured extensions for players like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds, raising hopes that they could do the same for Skenes. However, with Skenes under club control for several more years and not yet eligible for arbitration, both parties may take their time before reaching a long-term deal. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Skenes remains focused on improving his performance rather than contract negotiations.