In this week's mailbag, discussions revolve around Paul Skenes' potential tenure with the Pirates and his looming arbitration eligibility after the 2026 season. Analysts consider that ownership's reluctance to pay potentially high salaries may lead to Skenes being traded before arbitration in early 2027. Historical precedents in the arbitration market reveal that despite a player’s performance, contracts for young stars can be surprisingly conservative, underlining team strategies to maximize player value without extensive financial commitments. The mention of Bob Nutting’s ownership hints at a trend of trading away talented players, intensifying speculation about Skenes’ future.
John's theory suggests the Pirates will trade Skenes before his arbitration eligibility due to ownership's reluctance to pay high salaries, a pattern observed before.
The arbitration eligible market is tight, with pitchers like Corbin Burnes earning less than projected before hitting free agency, reflecting the need for teams to maximize player value.
Bob Nutting's tenure with the Pirates is marked by a consistent pattern of trading high-value players, raising concerns about Skenes’ future in Pittsburgh before arbitration.
The first-time arbitration market for pitchers is slow to move, with historical records like Dallas Keuchel's $7.25MM still indicating cost pressures on teams.
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