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CBS News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: 'Anybody can play GM'
Paul Skenes didn't hear Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington say that trading the reigning National League Rookie of the Year to give the last-place club an influx of much-needed position player talent is " not at all part of the conversation." When someone relayed Cherington's comments to him, the 22-year-old ace laughed. "It doesn't affect anything," Skenes told The Associated Press late Friday night after the Pirates rallied for a 6-5, 10-inning win over Milwaukee. "Anybody can play GM." True, but it says something about where the Pirates are currently at — well out of playoff position before Memorial Day — that Cherington's uncharacteristically blunt answer made headlines anyway. Yet if Skenes, who celebrated his first anniversary in the majors two weeks ago, has learned anything during his rise to stardom over the last three years, it's that noise is not the same as news. "There's no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that," Skenes said. It's one of the many reasons he makes it a point to try and block all the noise out. Yes, Skenes understands that baseball is a business — he said as much after manager Derek Shelton was fired on May 8 — but he also knows his business at this point in his career is focused entirely on throwing a baseball, not worrying about who he's throwing it for. There could very well be a time when Skenes moves on, either by Pittsburgh's choice or his own. That time, at least to Skenes, is not coming anytime soon. Pittsburgh is last in the major leagues in runs with 157, and no high-profile position player prospect is ready to walk into the home clubhouse at PNC Park as a big leaguer anytime soon. "Ben's job is to create a winning team and a winning organization," Skenes said. "So, what it looks like to him (is up to him)." Skenes added if the Pirates decided to make some sort of highly unusual move by trading one of the sport's brightest young stars, even though he remains under team control for the rest of the decade and isn't even eligible for arbitration until 2027, he wouldn't take it personally. "I don't expect it to happen," Skenes stressed. "(But Cherington) is going to look out for what's best for the Pirates. If he feels (trading me) is the right way to go, then he feels that's the right way to go. But you know, I have to pitch well, that's the bottom line." Skenes has been every bit the generational talent Pittsburgh hoped it was getting when it selected him with the top pick in the 2023 draft. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was a sensation from the moment he made his big-league debut last May and even as the team around him has scuffled — the Pirates tied a major-league record by going 26 straight games without scoring more than four runs, a streak that ended in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday — he has not. Five days after throwing the first complete game of his career in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia, Skenes kept the Brewers in check over six innings, giving up just one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. When he induced Sal Frelick into a grounder to second to finish the sixth, many in the crowd of 24,646 rose to their feet to salute him as he sauntered his way back to the dugout. He exited with a 2-1 lead, then watched from afar the struggling bullpen let it slip away. The Pirates, in an all-too-rare occurrence, fought back, rallying to tie it in the ninth on Oneil Cruz's second home run, then winning it in the 10th when Adam Frazier raced home on a wild pitch. Afterward, music blared and Skenes — who hasn't won in a month despite having a 2.32 ERA across his five May starts — flashed a smile that was a mixture of happiness and relief. "It's nice to see us pull it out, which is something that we haven't done as much to this point in the year," he said. "Hopefully it's a good sign." The Pirates sure could use some. Skenes has been fully invested in the franchise since baseball commissioner Rob Manfred called his name in the amateur draft two years ago. He has embraced his role as one of baseball's first Gen Z stars and has become comfortable being the face of the franchise, even if that franchise hasn't won much of anything in 30-plus years. The challenge of trying to help make the Pirates truly matter is something Skenes has eagerly accepted. He's as invested in the city as he is in the team itself. Asked if the outside speculation that the club should move on from him so quickly is disrespectful to the effort he's made to be everything the Pirates have asked him to be, the former Air Force cadet shrugged. "I don't feel anything good or bad toward it," he said. Maybe because he realizes it's simply not worth the energy. It hasn't been the start to 2025 that anybody associated with the Pirates has wanted. Skenes believes there's been a "little bit more fight" since Don Kelly took over as manager. He believes that he's gaining more mastery over his ever-expanding arsenal. He believes he's developing chemistry with catcher Henry Davis. That's a lot for a veteran to handle, let alone someone who doesn't turn 23 until next week. It's why focusing on his long-term future — or what others are saying about it — is wasted energy. Skenes was asked about what it's been like to work with Davis, the top overall pick in the 2021 draft. His answer could have doubled for where Skenes finds himself in general as he tries to navigate the push-pull of stardom and all the trappings — both good and bad — that come with it. "Just really got to keep doing what we're doing," he said, "continue learning and let everything take care of itself, I guess." ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: ‘Anybody can play GM'
Paul Skenes didn't hear Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington say that trading the reigning National League Rookie of the Year to give the last-place club an influx of much-needed position player talent is 'not at all part of the conversation.' When someone relayed Cherington's comments to him, the 22-year-old ace laughed. Advertisement 'It doesn't affect anything,' Skenes told The Associated Press late Friday night after the Pirates rallied for a 6-5, 10-inning win over Milwaukee. 'Anybody can play GM.' True, but it says something about where the Pirates are currently at — well out of playoff position before Memorial Day — that Cherington's uncharacteristically blunt answer made headlines anyway. Yet if Skenes, who celebrated his first anniversary in the majors two weeks ago, has learned anything during his rise to stardom over the last three years, it's that noise is not the same as news. 'There's no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that,' Skenes said. Advertisement It's one of the many reasons he makes it a point to try and block all the noise out. Yes, Skenes understands that baseball is a business — he said as much after manager Derek Shelton was fired on May 8 — but he also knows his business at this point in his career is focused entirely on throwing a baseball, not worrying about who he's throwing it for. There could very well be a time when Skenes moves on, either by Pittsburgh's choice or his own. That time, at least to Skenes, is not coming anytime soon. Pittsburgh is last in the major leagues in runs with 157, and no high-profile position player prospect is ready to walk into the home clubhouse at PNC Park as a big leaguer anytime soon. 'Ben's job is to create a winning team and a winning organization,' Skenes said. 'So, what it looks like to him (is up to him).' Advertisement Skenes added if the Pirates decided to make some sort of highly unusual move by trading one of the sport's brightest young stars, even though he remains under team control for the rest of the decade and isn't even eligible for arbitration until 2027, he wouldn't take it personally. 'I don't expect it to happen,' Skenes stressed. '(But Cherington) is going to look out for what's best for the Pirates. If he feels (trading me) is the right way to go, then he feels that's the right way to go. But you know, I have to pitch well, that's the bottom line.' Skenes has been every bit the generational talent Pittsburgh hoped it was getting when it selected him with the top pick in the 2023 draft. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was a sensation from the moment he made his big-league debut last May and even as the team around him has scuffled — the Pirates tied a major-league record by going 26 straight games without scoring more than four runs, a streak that ended in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday — he has not. Advertisement Five days after throwing the first complete game of his career in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia, Skenes kept the Brewers in check over six innings, giving up just one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. When he induced Sal Frelick into a grounder to second to finish the sixth, many in the crowd of 24,646 rose to their feet to salute him as he sauntered his way back to the dugout. He exited with a 2-1 lead, then watched from afar the struggling bullpen let it slip away. The Pirates, in an all-too-rare occurrence, fought back, rallying to tie it in the ninth on Oneil Cruz's second home run, then winning it in the 10th when Adam Frazier raced home on a wild pitch. Afterward, music blared and Skenes — who hasn't won in a month despite having a 2.32 ERA across his five May starts — flashed a smile that was a mixture of happiness and relief. 'It's nice to see us pull it out, which is something that we haven't done as much to this point in the year,' he said. 'Hopefully it's a good sign.' Advertisement The Pirates sure could use some. Skenes has been fully invested in the franchise since baseball commissioner Rob Manfred called his name in the amateur draft two years ago. He has embraced his role as one of baseball's first Gen Z stars and has become comfortable being the face of the franchise, even if that franchise hasn't won much of anything in 30-plus years. The challenge of trying to help make the Pirates truly matter is something Skenes has eagerly accepted. He's as invested in the city as he is in the team itself. Asked if the outside speculation that the club should move on from him so quickly is disrespectful to the effort he's made to be everything the Pirates have asked him to be, the former Air Force cadet shrugged. Advertisement 'I don't feel anything good or bad toward it,' he said. Maybe because he realizes it's simply not worth the energy. It hasn't been the start to 2025 that anybody associated with the Pirates has wanted. Skenes believes there's been a 'little bit more fight' since Don Kelly took over as manager. He believes that he's gaining more mastery over his ever-expanding arsenal. He believes he's developing chemistry with catcher Henry Davis. That's a lot for a veteran to handle, let alone someone who doesn't turn 23 until next week. It's why focusing on his long-term future — or what others are saying about it — is wasted energy. Advertisement Skenes was asked about what it's been like to work with Davis, the top overall pick in the 2021 draft. His answer could have doubled for where Skenes finds himself in general as he tries to navigate the push-pull of stardom and all the trappings — both good and bad — that come with it. 'Just really got to keep doing what we're doing,' he said, 'continue learning and let everything take care of itself, I guess.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Associated Press
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: 'Anybody can play GM'
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes didn't hear Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington say that trading the reigning National League Rookie of the Year to give the last-place club an influx of much-needed position player talent is ' not at all part of the conversation.' When someone relayed Cherington's comments to him, the 22-year-old ace laughed. 'It doesn't affect anything,' Skenes told The Associated Press late Friday night after the Pirates rallied for a 6-5, 10-inning win over Milwaukee. 'Anybody can play GM.' True, but it says something about where the Pirates are currently at — well out of playoff position before Memorial Day — that Cherington's uncharacteristically blunt answer made headlines anyway.. Yet if Skenes, who celebrated his first anniversary in the majors two weeks ago, has learned anything during his rise to stardom over the last three years, it's that noise is not the same as news. 'There's no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets and stuff like that,' Skenes said. It's one of the many reasons he makes it a point to try and block all the noise out. Yes, Skenes understands that baseball is a business — he said as much after manager Derek Shelton was fired on May 8 — but he also knows his business at this point in his career is focused entirely on throwing a baseball, not worrying about who he's throwing it for. There could very well be a time when Skenes moves on, either by Pittsburgh's choice or his own. That time, at least to Skenes, is not coming anytime soon. Pittsburgh is last in the major leagues in runs with 157, and no high-profile position player prospect ready to walk into the home clubhouse at PNC Park as a big leaguer anytime soon. 'Ben's job is to create a winning team and a winning organization,' Skenes said. 'So, what it looks like to him (is up to him).' Skenes added if the Pirates decided to make some sort of highly unusual move by trading one of the sport's brightest young stars, even though he remains under team control for the rest of the decade and isn't even eligible for arbitration until 2027, he wouldn't take it personally. 'I don't expect it to happen,' Skenes stressed. '(But Cherington) is going to look out for what's best for the Pirates. If he feels (trading me) is the right way to go, then he feels that's the right way to go. But you know, I have to pitch well, that's the bottom line.' Skenes has been every bit the generational talent Pittsburgh hoped it was getting when it selected him with the top pick in the 2023 draft. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was a sensation from the moment he made his big-league debut last May and even as the team around him has scuffled — the Pirates tied a major-league record by going 26 straight games without scoring more than four runs, a streak that ended in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday — he has not. Five days after throwing the first complete game of his career in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia, Skenes kept the Brewers in check over six innings, giving up just one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. When he induced Sam Frelick into a grounder to second to finish the sixth, many in the crowd of 24,646 rose to their feet to salute him as he sauntered his way back to the dugout. He exited with a 2-1 lead, then watched from afar the struggling bullpen let it slip away. The Pirates, in an all-too-rare occurrence, fought back, rallying to tie it in the ninth on Oneil Cruz's second home run, then winning it in the 10th when Adam Frazier raced home on a wild pitch. Afterward, music blared and Skenes — who hasn't won in a month despite having a 2.32 ERA across his five May starts — flashed a smile that was a mixture of happiness and relief. 'It's nice to see us pull it out, which is something that we haven't done as much to this point in the year,' he said. 'Hopefully it's a good sign.' The Pirates sure could use some. Skenes has been fully invested in the franchise since baseball commissioner Rob Manfred called his name in the amateur draft two years ago. He has embraced his role as one of baseball's first Gen Z stars and has become comfortable being the face of the franchise, even if that franchise hasn't won much of anything in 30-plus years. The challenge of trying to help make the Pirates truly matter is something Skenes has eagerly accepted. He's as invested in the city as he is in the team itself. Asked if the outside speculation that the club should move on from him so quickly is disrespectful to the effort he's made to be everything the Pirates have asked him to be, the former Air Force cadet shrugged. 'I don't feel anything good or bad toward it,' he said. Maybe because he realizes it's simply not worth the energy. It hasn't been the start to 2025 that anybody associated with the Pirates has wanted. Skenes believes there's been a 'little bit more fight' since Don Kelly took over as manager. He believes that he's gaining more mastery over his ever-expanding arsenal. He believes he's developing chemistry with catcher Henry Davis. That's a lot for a veteran to handle, let alone someone who doesn't turn 23 until next week. It's why focusing on his long-term future — or what others are saying about it — is wasted energy. Skenes was asked about what it's been like to work with Davis, the top overall pick in the 2021 draft. His answer could have doubled for where Skenes finds himself in general as he tries to navigate the push-pull of stardom and all the trappings — both good and bad — that come with it. 'Just really got to keep doing what we're doing,' he said, 'continue learning and let everything take care of itself, I guess.' ___ More AP baseball:
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Pirates GM breaks silence on Paul Skenes trade talk amid claims star pitcher could be on way out
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has broken his silence on a possible trade of star pitcher Paul Skenes, saying dealing last year's All-Star Game starter was never on the table. Ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline and Pittsburgh well out of the playoff race, many wondered if Skenes could be flipped for tons of assets to help in the future. Cherington has spoken to those claims for the first time, denying it was ever an option. The Pirates enter Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at 17-34 overall and 13.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central. Pittsburgh finished each of the last two seasons 10 games under .500, with this year projected to be a step forward. Instead, it has been multiple steps back, with Skenes viewed as one of the only prized assets on the squad. 'No, it's not part of the conversation at all,' Cherington said of the Skenes trade talk. Dealing last year's All-Star Game starter was never on the table for the struggling franchise After Cherington spoke to the media on Thursday, the Pirates scored five or more runs for the first time in 27 contests, still in an 8-5 loss. The Pirates co-hold the MLB record with 26 consecutive games scoring four runs or less with four other teams, with the most recent being the 1969 California Angels. Pittsburgh's season already looks on life support after having fired manager Derek Shelton two weeks ago and fortunes not turning under Don Kelly. Yet, the Pirates starting rotation has been viewed as one of the best parts of the struggling team. And Pittsburgh's ace is not going anywhere is Cherington has a say.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
MLB manager May-hem: Weird & Wild endings, and beginnings — for 3 new hires
Editor's note: This is a bonus Weird & Wild. To read this week's main W&W column, go here. Is 'big-league manager' a good job? It's a hard job. It's an exclusive job. (There are only 30 positions.) And 'universally beloved' is not a description you're likely to hear about anyone doing that job, no matter how good they are at it. So why do we ask this question? That's why. Advertisement That's not usually the sort of question we ask here at Weird and Wild World HQ. But this hasn't been a 'usual' kind of month for the big-league managing profession, possibly because of this: May 7 — Pirates fire Derek Shelton May 11 — Rockies fire Bud Black May 16 — Orioles fire Brandon Hyde If you're scoring along at home — and please tell me you're not — you'll notice a trend there. Maybe two trends: Three managers fired by May 16! That's one trend. Three managers fired in 10 days — by May 16! Is that a second trend? Sure. Why not? So why is this Weird and Wild material? Because so many of you seem to want to know how unusual that is. I ran those questions by my friends at STATS Perform. In a related development, now we have answers. The May trifecta — STATS found just four other seasons since 1988 that featured (at least) three managerial firings before the end of May. Sit back and savor these. We have some fun names coming. 2002 (4) — Phil Garner, Davey Lopes, Buddy Bell, Tony Muser 2001 (4) — Larry Rothschild, Johnny Oates, John Boles, Felipe Alou 1991 (4) — Nick Leyva, Don Zimmer, John Wathan, Frank Robinson 1988 (3) — Cal Ripken Sr., Chuck Tanner, Larry Bowa If you get the impression that managerial job stability wasn't a thing back then, you're on top of this. And especially in 2002, when, believe it or not, all four of those managers got canned in April! Ten days in May — Now let's dig in on the rapid-fire portion of these 'festivities.' Three firings in a week and a half before June? You don't see that much (thankfully). There were three in 12 days in 2002. But only once since 1988 have we seen three managers get the boot in the first two months during a stretch this short. That happened in 1991 when, incredibly, three managers lost their jobs in four days: Zimmer on May 19, Wathan on May 21, Robinson on May 22. Is that a record that will never be broken? Let's hope so. Advertisement So how's it going? Do you want the bad news or the good news? The bad news: The three new fearless leaders — Don Kelly (Pirates), Warren Schaeffer (Rockies) and Tony Mansolino (Orioles) — who inherited these managing jobs started a combined 4-19! So those firings went well. The good news: Hey, whaddaya know, they've won *three games since Tuesday — two by Kelly, one by Mansolino. But speaking of those two guys … Welcome to the dugout, Tony — When you get that first big-league managing job, you'd like to believe that dreams come true. Then the games start! And in the very first inning of the very first game Mansolino managed in Baltimore, his team found itself behind, 6-0. Good times. So how rare is that? According to STATS, only two other managers since 1901 have had the thrill of seeing their teams allow at least six runs in the first inning of their major-league managing careers: Brian Snitker, on May 17, 2016 (after replacing Fredi González with the Braves). Joe Kuhel, on Opening Day, 1948 (after replacing Ossie Bluege with the Washington Senators). More good news/bad news: The good news for Mansolino is, at least Snitker's and Kuhel's teams gave up seven in the first, not six. The bad news for Mansolino is, his team gave up seven runs in the first two innings two days in a row. Pretty sure that's not how he game-planned it! For the win — It took a few days. But we're pleased to report that finally, on Wednesday, Mansolino's Orioles did win a game, in his fifth try. And it went pretty smoothly, other than the part where they blew leads in the ninth and 10th innings (before winning in 11). So yeah, I wondered what you wondered: How many managers could possibly have won the first game of their careers in a tilt like that — with blown leads in the ninth and any extra inning? The answer, according to STATS, is weird and wild, all right. Advertisement The 'Managers' page at Baseball Reference lists 850 men who have managed in the big leagues. Some managed in the 19th century. But … According to STATS, exactly one other manager in the modern era 'enjoyed' his first win in a game like that Tony Mansolino game. And he's still managing in the big leagues. That was Bob Melvin, on Opening Day 2003, for the Mariners. Kaz Sasaki and Jeff Nelson blew saves, but Seattle won anyway, inspired by a tie-breaking 11th-inning home run by my friend, Ben Davis! Happy Ejection Day – And then there was Don Kelly. He knew how to make an entrance … by getting ejected from the second game he ever managed in the big leagues. Plate ump Clint Vondrak did the honors. Don Kelly has been ejected in his second game as a MLB manager Absolutely love it. — Platinum Ke'Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) May 10, 2025 Then, just to prove that was no fluke, Kelly also got ejected from his seventh game. If you're thinking that seems hard, well, excellent thinking. According to STATS, just six other managers since 2002 have gotten the boot within the first 10 games of their careers: David Bell (2019 Reds), Dave Roberts (2016 Dodgers), Pat Murphy (2015 Padres), Kevin Cash (2015 Rays), Rick Renteria (2014 Cubs) and Ron Gardenhire (2002 Twins). But … How many of them got ejected as early as their second game? Right you are. That would be zero. And how many of them had gotten kicked out twice by their seventh game? Right you are again. That would also be none. So let's ask again. Is big-league manager a good job? Seems kinda stressful! (Top photo of Don Kelly: Heather Barry / Getty Images)
