Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitcher Paul Skenes, the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, has plenty on his plate, but his future and a potential extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates are not among his current concerns.

"I haven't given it too much thought," Skenes said Sunday, per Will Graves of the Associated Press.

The 22-year-old LSU product is under club control for five more seasons.

The team's lack of offseason spending has frustrated fans, who fear they are living on borrowed time with the standout pitcher entering his second season without knowing how long he'll be with the club.

Billboard campaigns have sprung up, urging Pirates chairman Bob Nutting to sell the team, while chants of "Sell the team!" erupted at the team's annual fanfest. In response, team CEO Travis Williams stated that Nutting has no interest in selling, per ESPN.

Skenes doesn't seem eager to move on either, highlighting the team's young core and recent coaching staff changes as signs of progress following back-to-back 76-86 seasons, per the Gaines.

"The group that we have from last year is going to be better I think than we were last year," Skenes said, per Gaines. "We're going to have more experience. I don't think you can overstate the impact that coaches can have on it, too, so we made some good additions there. It's not a complicated thing. It's hard to do, but it's not complicated."

The young phenom is not fixated on the future, with the upcoming season as his main focus. The Pirates are also moving away from the inning limits that were imposed on Skenes last season to protect his arm.

"I'm going to be ready to throw 240 innings," said Skenes, who went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts. "It's not going to be 160 innings again. I know that. It's gonna be much more, 'Take the ball and pitch.'"

Pittsburgh Pirates CEO Travis Williams said Saturday that owner Bob Nutting won't be selling the organization during the team's offseason fan fest, despite some "Sell the team!" chants from fans at the event.

"To answer your immediate question or what you said earlier, Bob's not going to sell the team," Williams said, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He cares about Pittsburgh, cares about winning, cares about us putting a winning product on the field and we're working towards that every day."

Nutting wasn't in attendance during the Q&A where the chants were heard, another point of frustration for Pirates' fans.

But the main issue in Pittsburgh is that the team hasn't had a winning season since 2015, which was also its last postseason appearance. And the Pirates haven't won a playoff series since 2013, which is the only series the franchise has won since winning the World Series back in 1979.

Since Willie Stargell led the Pirates to glory last year, the team has made just six playoff appearances in 44 seasons, a startling streak of futility. Nutting has been at the helm since 2007, with just three winning seasons and three playoff appearances in 17 years.

"I've been in sports a long time, different sports, different organizations," Williams told fans. "One thing I've learned long ago is that passion for your team turns into frustration whenever you're not winning. It's just a reality. It happens whenever it's in Pittsburgh. It happens in other cities. We see that all the time. We know that there is frustration, frustration because we're not winning with expectations of winning. But at the end of the day, that's not due to a lack of commitment to want to win."

Pirates' fans may seriously question that last statement. In 2024, the team had the second-lowest payroll in the sport at $84 million. Only the Oakland Athletics spent less, a paltry $62.1 million. The highest the Pirates have ranked in payroll dating back to 2011 was in 2016, when they ranked 21st out of 30 teams with a payroll of $99.5 million. Four teams had a payroll of over $200 million that season.

The Pirates have been bottom-five in payroll in 11 out of the last 14 seasons. They are projected to continue the trend in 2025, with a payroll currently sitting at $64.2 million.

Andrew McCutchen is returning for a 12th season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The former NL MVP agreed to a new contract that will keep him in Pittsburgh, with Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reporting the two sides agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million.

Source: He’s back. pic.twitter.com/I2FqZJA2l9

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) December 23, 2024

https://t.co/eOWQcHOoBU pic.twitter.com/V6w0N4fj2e

— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) December 23, 2024

McCutchen played the 2024 season on his second consecutive one-year deal with the Pirates.

While serving mostly as the Pirates' designated hitter, McCutchen slashed .232/.328/.411 for 50 RBI in 120 appearances.

McCutchen recorded 20 home runs, his highest total since 2021, while also marking career-high strikeout rate of 25.8 percent.

Formerly a first-round pick by the Pirates in the 2005 draft, McCutchen spent parts of 10 seasons in Pittsburgh to start out his MLB career.

He went on to play stints with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers before returning to the Pirates ahead of the 2023 season.

McCutchen recorded the most productive seasons of his career at center field, including his four straight Silver Slugger campaigns between 2012 and 2014 and his MVP campaign in 2013.

Now the five-time All-Star, who turned 38 in October, has remained productive as a designated hitter. The Pirates have further assisted by providing pinch runners or using him as a pinch hitter in his most recent seasons in Pittsburgh.

Last season McCutchen passed Tommy Leach to reach No. 9 on the team's all-time leaderboards with 1,578 games played and 6,817 plate appearances.

The Pirates will now hope for continued production and fewer strikeouts from this Pittsburgh fan favorite as he looks to return as the team's go-to DH next spring.

The return of McCutchen will narrow the potential options for former No. 1 pick Henry Davis, who focused only on catching and designated hitting during the 2024 season. With McCutchen returning, potentially as the designated hitter, it looks like the Pirates will need to slot Davis in behind the plate to get him his next MLB stint in 2025.

The Boston Red Sox made another addition to their bullpen on Tuesday by signing a former All-Star.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Red Sox reached an agreement with seven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion Aroldis Chapman on a one-year, $10.75 million contract.

The deal comes after Boston signed lefty reliever Justin Wilson to a one-year, $2.25 million contract last month and hired Chris Holt as its new bullpen coach. The team was in need of new faces after closer Kenley Jansen and setup man Chris Martin entered free agency this offseason.

By adding Chapman, Boston's bullpen depth chart now looks like this:

• RP: Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson, Greg Weissert, Brennan Bernardino, Zack Kelly, Chris Murphy

Following Tuesday's deal, the Red Sox now have an adjusted payroll of $120.7 million and a projected payroll of $141.9 million, per Spotrac.

Through 68 appearances in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024, Chapman finished with a 5-5 record, 14 saves, a 3.79 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 61.2 innings of work. In June, the 36-year-old set the record for most career strikeouts by a lefty reliever, passing Billy Wagner.

Chapman signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Pirates last offseason after splitting the 2023 season between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. He pitched a collective 58.1 innings and finished the year with a 3.09 ERA, 103 strikeouts and just 36 walks.

During the 2023 postseason, Chapman made nine appearances and allowed just two runs with six strikeouts to help the Rangers win their first World Series title in franchise history. He spent the 2024 postseason watching from home, as the Pirates missed the playoffs for the ninth straight year.

A 16-year veteran, Chapman was once one of the most feared relievers in the majors. He brought an intimidating presence to the mound as he dominated opposing batters by routinely throwing fastballs that topped 100 MPH. While he was never able to lock down the closer role with the Rangers, he proved he could still be a reliable option at the end of the bullpen.

Joining the Pirates allowed Chapman to be one of the veteran leaders on a young squad while primarily serving as the setup man for closer David Bednar, who had 23 saves. Pittsburgh was Chapman's sixth team, as he also spent six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, six-plus seasons with the New York Yankees and was a member of the Chicago Cubs' World Series-winning team in 2016.

By signing with the Red Sox, Chapman will once again be one of the most experienced relievers in the bullpen as the team tries to compete for a playoff spot in 2025.

Topps unveiled its card commemorating Paul Skenes' National League Rookie of the Year win.

The Topps Now card features the Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher sitting with girlfriend Livvy Dunne on the night the announcement was made. A special insert includes both of their autographs as well.

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧: Paul Skenes & Livvy Dunne trading cards have arrived… pic.twitter.com/UB7gOsIhxV

— Topps (@Topps) November 21, 2024

It remains to be seen whether the dual-auto card becomes as elusive as the 1-of-1 gem that features Skenes' autograph and his MLB debut patch. The Pirates have volunteered to give the holder of that card season tickets for the next 30 years plus other rewards:

The Pittsburgh Pirates just offered season tickets behind home plate for 30 YEARS in exchange for the Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card…

Would you accept this offer?? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/6DBDR42xDW

— Topps (@Topps) November 15, 2024

The right-hander was the runaway ROY winner for the NL. He collected 23 of the 30 first-place votes, with the other seven going to San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill.

Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, accelerated rapidly through Pittsburgh's minor league system and showed the hype was more than justified upon reaching the majors. Across 23 starts in 2024, he had a 1.96 ERA and a 2.45 FIP while averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Paul Skenes and his significant other, Livvy Dunne, had very different reactions to the news of Skenes winning the NL Rookie of the Year.

Paul Skenes’ reaction to winning rookie of the year 😂

(via @MLBNetwork)
pic.twitter.com/uJa1ugG1TF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 18, 2024

Following the announcement honoring Skenes, he remained surprisingly still, barely changing his facial expression. Meanwhile, Dunne excitedly clapped and shook his shoulders in celebration, attempting to draw out some emotion from Skenes.

The honor comes after the rookie posted 94 hits allowed over 133 innings, along with 170 strikeouts.

The LSU alum received 23 of the 30 first-place votes, edging out a stacked rookie class that included fellow finalists Jackson Merrill and Jackson Chourio for the honor.

He is just the second Pirates player to win Rookie of the Year winner and posted a 1.96 ERA, the lowest for any rookie with 20 or more starts in the Live Ball Era, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo.

The rookie is also one of the three finalists for the NL Cy Young Award, alongside Chris Sale and Zach Wheeler. The winner is to be announced on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday that they are offering a package of perks, including 30 years worth of season tickets at PNC Park, in exchange for a coveted 1-of-1 Paul Skenes rookie card.

The card in question is part of the 2024 Topps Chrome Update set that released this week. In addition to being a 1-of-1, the card features Skenes' autograph and the MLB debut patch he wore on his jersey during his first MLB regular-season game.

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: The Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph is officially here…

This card can be found in one lucky pack of 2024 Topps Chrome Update, releasing November 13. pic.twitter.com/uwTaUWaenh

— Topps (@Topps) November 10, 2024

If the person who pulls the card is willing to give it to the Pirates organization, the Pirates revealed Friday that they will provide the person with 30 years of season tickets for two behind home plate, a softball game for 30 people at PNC Park featuring Pirates alumni as coaches and a special spring training experience.

To the lucky person who finds this card… We’d love to bring this card home to PNC Park to share with all Buccos fans.

Here’s our offer: https://t.co/qSDgZg3C8p pic.twitter.com/efNGhjidQ4

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 15, 2024

The Pirates will also provide the original owner of the card with two jerseys signed by Skenes. Livvy Dunne, LSU gymnast and Skenes' girlfriend, posted on her Instagram story that the person who finds the card can also sit with her in a suite at a Pirates game:

.@livvydunne just upped the stakes even more 😂🤣 https://t.co/uVHJDWNVtw pic.twitter.com/0HMqUsiEn2

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) November 15, 2024

Topps began the MLB debut patch rookie card phenomenon last season, featuring stars such as New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee and Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller.

As highly sought after as that set was, demand for the Skenes card promises to blow the rest of them out of the water.

A big reason for that is the estimated value, as Topps believes the Skenes card could ultimately be worth six figures depending on how his career progresses, per Sports Collectors Digest.

Given how dominant Skenes was as a rookie, the card may very well fetch six figures right out of the pack, meaning it is no guarantee that the collector who pulls it will take the Pirates up on their offer.

Following a spectacular collegiate career at LSU, Skenes went No. 1 overall to the Pirates in the 2023 MLB draft, and it didn't take him long to prove he was deserving of the top selection.

After starting the 2024 season in the minors, Skenes was called up in May and he never looked back. The 22-year-old righty made 23 starts this past season, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 170 strikeouts over 133 innings.

He became only the fifth rookie to ever start the All-Star Game, he is a virtual lock to be named National League Rookie of the Year and he is an NL Cy Young Award finalist as well.

The hype surrounding Skenes is similar to that of Stephen Strasburg when he broke into the big leagues with the Washington Nationals in 2010.

Strasburg cards were all the rage and he went on to have a great career, earning three All-Star selections and winning both a World Series title and a World Series MVP Award. However, injuries limited him to just eight career seasons with 20 or more starts.

If the person who pulls the Skenes card holds onto it rather than selling it immediately or trading it to the Pirates, they could risk injuries or a downturn in performance tanking the value of the card.

At the same time, if Skenes continues to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball, the value will only increase.

The collector who is lucky enough to get their hands on the 1-of-1 Skenes MLB debut card was already going to have a tough decision on their hands, and the Pirates' involvement could make their decision even more difficult.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released Rowdy Tellez just as he was on the verge of receiving a $200,000 bonus for reaching 425 plate appearances this season.

The team announced prior to Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers that the 29-year-old had been designated for assignment.

Pittsburgh's decision came with six games remaining in the regular season. Tellez had 421 plate appearances, four shy of triggering the $200,000 bonus in his contract.

Today, with just six games left, the Pirates DFA'd Rowdy Tellez, who has been an above-average hitter by wRC+ over the past month.

Coincidentally, Tellez's contract reportedly entitled him to a $200,000 bonus at 425 plate appearances.

His time with the Pirates ends at 421.

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 24, 2024

In the same move, Michael A. Taylor was designated for assignment. The team called up Liover Peguero and Joshua Palacios from Triple-A to fill out their roster.

The decision to part ways with Tellez raised some eyebrows, but general manager Ben Cherington told reporters it was not a financially motivated move:

"No factor at all, zero. And, no, I'm not concerned. Contracts are negotiated in good faith. Then they live out. We feel like we gave Rowdy lots of opportunity here this year. To his credit, he fought through some difficult times earlier in the year. Had periods of success and frustration. This is just where we got to in the season. Had nothing to do with where the plate appearances were lining up."

Tellez signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Pirates as a free agent in December 2023. He has been in the lineup for most of the season as the starting first baseman or designated hitter.

There was a performance-based justification for the Pirates to release Tellez. He hit .243/.299/.392 with 13 homers and 56 RBI in 131 games.

Among 19 first basemen with at least 400 plate appearances this season, his minus-0.6 FanGraphs' wins above replacement is tied for last with Ty France.

But the decision to wait until the final week of the regular season to make this move is questionable, especially since Pirates owner Bob Nutting has been scrutinized for his lack of investment in the MLB roster over the years.

In a February report from The Athletic's Stephen J. Nesbitt and Ken Rosenthal about the state of the franchise under Nutting's ownership, one former instructor for the team said they had to wait a day to execute a trade to save $30,000.

The Pirates haven't run a payroll of at least $90 million since 2017. They have missed the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons dating back to 2016, with just one winning year during that span (82-79 in 2018).

Despite being on the verge of his fifth consecutive losing season, Derek Shelton's job as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates appears to be safe.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington told reporters on Wednesday he believes Shelton is "the right person to manage the team in 2025" and expects he will return next season.

Shelton's contract was extended by the Pirates in April 2023, but the length of the deal was not specified in the announcement.

The Pirates briefly flirted with playoff contention earlier this season. They had a 29-22 record over two months between June and July that helped them climb three games over .500 on July 30 (55-52).

Pittsburgh was only two games behind the San Diego Padres for the final postseason spot in the NL at that point. A brutal August that included a 10-game losing streak all but ended any hope for the club to be a playoff spoiler.

Things have improved so far in September with a 6-4 record entering play on Wednesday. The Pirates' .476 winning percentage is on pace to be their highest in a season since 2018 when they finished 82-79.

Shelton was hired by the Pirates in November 2019 after Clint Hurdle was fired two months earlier. He took over a franchise that was in the process of a long-term rebuild.

The Pirates haven't finished higher than fourth in the NL Central since Shelton took over as manager. They are on the verge of their third last-place finish in the past five seasons. His .415 winning percentage ranks 336th out of 366 managers all-time with at least 315 games managed.

Even though the results have yet to show up in the Pirates' record, there are clear signs of improvement for the franchise in 2024. Paul Skenes is an NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner amid his historic debut season.

Oneil Cruz, Mitch Keller and Jared Jones have all enjoyed breakout seasons and could form the next great core group with Skenes in Pittsburgh.

Shelton has endured the rough patch of a team just starting to rebuild when he was hired. The Pirates seem inclined to at least give him another year to see it through now that they are making positive strides.

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne was surprised after the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen couldn't maintain a seven-run lead during Paul Skenes' latest start on Wednesday.

Dunne expressed her shock with a social media post featuring her boyfriend.

pic.twitter.com/pdxyyAGUzm

— Olivia Dunne (@livvydunne) August 28, 2024

Skenes threw five innings against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, giving up two earned runs and striking out six batters. When he left the game, Pittsburgh held a 10-3 lead.

The Pirates' bullpen struggled after the 22-year-old exited the contest, as four of the five relief pitchers that manager Derek Shelton used throughout the remainder of the game allowed at least one earned run. After nine innings of play, the Cubs secured a 14-10 win.

7 RBI for Christian Bethancourt and the @Cubs have stormed back from 7 runs down to take the lead 😱 pic.twitter.com/uwV9NhA47U

— MLB (@MLB) August 28, 2024

Skenes initially appeared to be in line for his ninth win of the year, although he ended with a no-decision.

The Pirates stayed at the bottom of the NL Central following the loss, falling to 62-71 on the season as a whole. Their bullpen has been one of the main culprits behind their place in the standings, owning the fourth-worst ERA among relief pitchers among all teams in the majors (via MLB.com).

Skenes has been a bright spot for Pittsburgh, posting a 2.23 ERA to go along with an All-Star appearance.

The Pirates will attempt to get back on track in their next game, a matchup with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET.