What Will Pirates’ Corresponding Move be for Paul Skenes (+)
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton often says he doesn’t live in a speculative world.
Well I do, at least for a moment.
Top prospect Paul Skenes will make his major league debut on Saturday evening against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. In order to get Skenes to Pittsburgh, the Pirates will have to clear a spot on both the 40-man and active rosters.
There are multiple routes the Pirates could take to get their prized prospect to the big leagues. Here are several roster casualties the Pirates could consider.
Option Quinn Priester
One way for the Pirates to get Skenes on the roster is to option fellow right-handed starter Quinn Priester to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Priester has generated solid results on the surface with a 3.86 ERA. However, his 6.86 FIP is even higher than it was in a his disappointing rookie season in 2023.
In his last start against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, the 23-year-old allowed five runs (three earned) in 4.2 innings pitched.
However, the Pirates would need to make an additional move to get him on the 40-man.
Option Kyle Nicolas
Perhaps a less logical choice than Priester, the Pirates could option a reliever to create a spot on the 26-man roster for Skenes.
By doing this, the Pirates could entertain the idea of using a six-man rotation with the other five starters on the roster pitching relatively well.
They could also shift Bailey Falter to the bullpen in more of a bulk-relief role if a six-man rotation is not under consideration.
Nicolas has pitched well through his first four appearances since he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. In four innings, he has yet to allow a run on two hits and two walks while striking out five.
Despite his solid showing, Nicolas has options remaining whereas some others don’t. As with Priester, a further move would be required.
DFA Roansy Contreras
Contreras’ fall from grace has been an unfortunate development as the Pirates were counting on him to be a key piece of the rotation heading into last season.
The 24-year-old had a disastrous 2023 in which he went 3-7 with a 6.59 ERA and lost his rotation spot before being optioned to the minor leagues only to not return.
Now in the bullpen, Contreras has a 4.70 ERA/5.17 FIP through 11 appearances (15.1 innings) this year.
Designating Contreras wouldn’t just clear a spot on the active roster, but it would create room on the Pirates’ 40-man roster. Maybe it’s time to move on from Contreras, which would have been a incomprehensible not that long ago.
Move Someone to 60-Day IL
The Pirates currently have three players who could theoretically be transferred to the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Catcher Jason Delay recently underwent knee surgery and will be out for the foreseeable future. Additionally, left-handers Ryan Borucki and Marco Gonzales are both on the 15-day injured list and have been shut down from throwing.
Transferring any of the three players would ensure the Pirates don’t put themselves at risk of losing a player to waivers. This may be the safest bet.
Other DFA Candidates
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