Perrotto: Status Quo Not Nearly Enough for Paul Skenes

Every amateur psychologist within a 100-mile radius of PNC Park has assumed one thing about Paul Skenes.

Every fan seems to believe that the ace right-hander has already tired of playing for the Pirates just two seasons into his career. They believe Skenes is yearning for a trade, and some have even speculated that he has requested a deal.

Social media and talk radio. You’ve got to love it.

Skenes has not expressed a desire to leave Pittsburgh. He also hasn’t asked for a trade.

And before we go any further, he and the Pirates have not had preliminary talks about a possible long-term contract extension, regardless of speculation from some corners.

However, Skenes did show some minor signs of frustration on Friday night before the Pirates played the Athletics. He admitted he is disappointed that the Pirates have backslid, going from 76-86 last season to 65-89 with eight games remaining in this season.

That was more of a topic of discussion than his winning the Roberto Clemente and Steve Blass awards, which go to the Pirates’ most valuable player and best pitcher as voted on by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Skenes did not lay out a precise plan of what it would take to vault the Pirates into contention next season. Yet he made it clear that something has to change.

The obvious answer is adding some hitters to bolster a terrible offense and support a postseason-caliber pitching staff. However, Skenes went a little deeper than that.

“Winning, a lot of it comes down to what you’re willing to give up, what you’re willing to sacrifice,” Skenes said. “I think, as a group, it’s going to take more sacrifices from us. I say that broadly, but I think that’s a big piece. There are guys that didn’t play as well as they had hoped this year. Didn’t play as well as they expected to.

“We knew that coming into this year, too. There were guys last year that didn’t play as well. Not necessarily the same guys as this year, but there’s room to get better in this locker room. We just need to do it. I’m sure we’ll get some pieces and do all that, but my mind right now is what can we do within the locker room to get better, now and for next year. There’s urgency to it, and we need to understand that and act on it.”

It was refreshing to hear someone in the clubhouse admit the obvious about the Pirates having too many underachieving players. Skenes didn’t name any names, but center fielder Oneil Cruz has to top a list that includes left fielder Bryan Reynolds and catcher Joey Bart, along with many other Pirates hitters.

Skenes said there have been conversations within the clubhouse about improving the collective work ethic, though he declined to go into depth on the discussions.

“Just mentioned what are we willing to sacrifice, collectively, individually?” Skenes said. “Looking in the mirror is part of that. We need to do that. I think everybody in this room can be better. I believe that, going into the offseason, a lot of guys are going to see it that way. You don’t just go into the offseason like, ‘hey, I’m trying to be the same player I was last year.'”

If too many Pirates adopt that attitude over the winter, it will mean more of the same in 2026 for a franchise that is completing its 29th losing season in 33 years.

Skenes’ frustration will grow if that happens, and he might not be able to disguise it. Then, the amateur psychologists might be right after all.