“He’s going to be the face of the Pirates for a long time,” Skenes said about Griffin, via reporter Justin Guerriero on X. Just six games into his MLB career, Griffin put pen to paper on the biggest contract in franchise history.

Skenes’ comments set off the alarms in Pittsburgh. Many fans believe Skenes is the face of the franchise and will be that way for the remainder of his career, regardless of how great Griffin—the No. 1 prospect in MLB—turns out to be. However, the star starting pitcher’s statement has now left his future up in the air.

Either he believes Griffin is a better player than him, or he believes the Pirates won’t be good anytime soon and he won’t stay in town for long. Even if Skenes wanted out of Pittsburgh, though, his contract situation makes things more complicated. It’s not like a public comment in April 2026 will immediately set him free.

Skenes’ contract with Pirates

Back in July of 2023, Skenes was signed to a record-setting $9.2 million signing bonus. Since then, he’s been playing on pre-arbitration one-year contracts with a rising salary. Skenes will become eligible for arbitration for the first time ahead of the 2027 MLB season.

Pittsburgh has its ace signed to a extremely team-friendly deal, but Skenes will demand proper compensation soon. If the Pirates don’t offer him a deal he believes is aligned with his value, he might push to be traded. Moreover, Pittsburgh has set a precedent with Griffin’s contract, and it may have handed Skenes a blueprint for the starting pitcher to craft his ideal extension.

Can Skenes leave Pittsburgh?

The Louisiana State University alum will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2029 campaign. In the meantime, he could ask for a trade out of Pittsburgh. That’s about the only option he has to skip town.

The alternative route requires the Pirates to not tender Skenes and allow him to sign with another organization. The odds of that are slim, likely on par with the chances of an average human getting a hit off a fastball from Skenes.

Thus, even if his latest comment could be interpreted as a hint of his future exit, fans in the Burgh can remain calm that if Skenes leaves, it won’t be anytime soon. Now is not the time to hit the panic button. At least, not yet.

“Still a work in progress, but nice to give some volume,” Skenes said after the game, via MLB.com, emphasizing his focus on refining execution after his shortest career start in his previous outing.

After allowing five runs while recording just two outs in his last start, Skenes (1-1) bounced back with five innings of one-run ball. He gave up only three hits, struck out five, and lowered his ERA significantly, showing clear progress early in the 2026 season, as the Yankees keep eyes on Skenes, putting Pirates in spotlight.

Execution and mindset drive Skenes’ rebound

Skenes’ outing wasn’t perfect, but it showed better command and control. Despite a leadoff walk, he quickly settled in and found his rhythm, consistently attacking the strike zone. His ability to reset and stay focused stood out as a key factor in the turnaround.

Manager Don Kelly pointed to Skenes’ competitive nature as a difference-maker, noting how quickly he adjusted after early trouble. The Pirates also managed his pitch count carefully, targeting around 80 pitches as they build him up for a full workload.

Signs of growth early in 2026 season

Beyond the numbers, this start helped quiet concerns about any lingering effects from recent workload or previous struggles. Skenes made it clear his focus remains simple and direct: execution on every pitch and staying locked into the game.

The right-hander also benefited from early run support, including a three-run homer from Oneil Cruz, allowing him to pitch with confidence. If this outing is any indication, Skenes is already trending in the right direction as a key piece of Pittsburgh’s rotation moving forward.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees tried to trade for Skenes at last year’s deadline, offering four top prospects, a package the Pirates rejected. “The Pirates have no intention to trade Skenes ... in the foreseeable future,” Heyman wrote, “but expect the Yankees to circle back if they ever detect even a glimmer of an opening.”

Skenes, who recently drew attention after his ERA was destroyed by the NY Mets on Opening Day, still has four years left on his contract, but with free agency approaching in 2029, trade talk is expected to grow. The Yankees’ history suggests they’ll make another push if an opportunity appears.

Yankees’ aggressive approach

The previous trade offer may have included Cam Schlittler, George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, and Carlos Lagrange. The willingness to offer top prospects shows how committed the Yankees are to adding elite talent whenever possible.

Skenes’ mix of youth and dominance makes him a rare asset, highlighting New York’s strategy to strengthen its roster through trades or future free agency.

Implications for the Pirates

For the Pirates, the trade speculation around Skenes is a challenge. While he remains under contract, the closer he gets to free agency, the more attention his future draws.

Pittsburgh must balance developing the team with managing distractions from ongoing trade rumors. The Yankees’ continued interest underscores that Skenes’ long-term future with the Pirates is far from certain.

However, everything turned into a disaster in the first inning. Skenes walked Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto singled on a line drive, and then two incredible errors by Oneil Cruz triggered a five-run rally.

In the end, Paul Skenes’ line was surprising. Two-thirds of an inning, four hits, five earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout. His ERA stood at an astronomical 67.50, which will surely drop as the weeks go by, but at least for today it is historic.

What happened with Paul Skenes?

In addition to Paul Skenes showing little control on the mound, the reality is that Oneil Cruz’s errors were extremely costly. Without them, the starting pitcher might have escaped with only two runs of damage, but with those mistakes, the Mets’ haul was enormous.

Did Pirates lose against Mets on Opening Day?

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 11–7 to the New York Mets at Citi Field in the first game of the 2026 MLB season. After finally making important upgrades to the roster, thousands of fans were expecting a different version of the Bucs. Opening Day was disappointing.

ESPN Insights shared three unwanted records from Skenes’ outing against the New York Mets: the shortest start of his career, the shortest Opening Day start ever by a reigning Cy Young winner, and a tie for the most earned runs he has allowed in a game.

It took just 37 pitches for Skenes to exit the game, with the Mets already holding a 5-2 lead. The manager made the call early, avoiding further damage in a game where the ace had clearly lost command.

Not all the blame fell on Skenes

It’s worth noting that not everything went wrong because of Skenes. Oneil Cruz struggled in the outfield, misplaying fly balls that should have been routine, whether due to the wind or the sun, and those mistakes directly led to runs for the home team.

Fans quickly reacted to the defensive issues. One comment from Kody Duncan on X (@kodyduncanpgh) pointed out that Cruz should move back to shortstop, with adjustments across the field to stabilize the defense, highlighting how costly those outfield mistakes were in such a short MLB outing.

Even Joel Embiid weighed in on X, expressing disbelief at the decision to pull Skenes so early. The right-hander finished with just 0.2 innings pitched, allowing four hits, two walks, and five earned runs for a staggering 67.50 ERA to open the season.

Is something different in 2026?

Analyst Mike Rodriguez noted a possible mechanical issue in Skenes’ delivery, suggesting he may be tipping pitches by showing the ball more before release. It’s a flaw that has hurt pitchers before, including Jesus Luzardo, and could explain the sudden loss of effectiveness.

Benge’s first taste of the big leagues comes with a trial by fire: an Opening Day date with reigning NL Cy Young winner. “Starting out with the best, it’s pretty cool,” Benge told reporters. “I’ll try to win every pitch, every AB, and find any way you can to win.”

The 23-year-old’s path to Queens was paved by a dominant spring and a late-camp injury to veteran Mike Tauchman, whose meniscus tear opened a permanent door for the rookie.

The rookie vs. The ace

The matchup is a scout’s dream. Benge forced the Mets’ hand by hitting .366 this spring, showing an advanced ability to track high-velocity heaters, a necessity when facing Skenes.

While Benge’s power is still developing, his 92.1 mph average exit velocity in Triple-A last season suggests his 20-HR ceiling is well within reach.

However, Skenes is a different animal. The Pirates’ flamethrower is coming off a historic 2025 campaign where he posted a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts over 187.2 innings.

Armed with a 102-mph “splinker” and a veteran’s poise despite his age, Skenes enters 2026 as the gold standard for power pitching.

Projected NY Mets Opening Day lineup

With Juan Soto now anchored in left field, the Mets’ order looks formidable. Here is how Mendoza is expected to stack the lineup for the opener:

1. SS Francisco Lindor
2. LF Juan Soto
3. CF Luis Robert Jr.
4. 3B Ryan McMahon
5. DH Starling Marte
6. 1B Jorge Polanco
7. C Francisco Alvarez
8. RF Carson Benge
9. 2B Jeff McNeil

“Paul Skenes is a robot and he is process oriented,” the manager said during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He also added: “He wanted that moment and he was dialed in from pitch one.“

While DeRosa confirmed that Nolan McLean will take the mound for Team USA in the 2026 WBC final, Skenes is also expected to play a prominent role in the rotation, no matter who the opponent is.

Skenes’ dominance in the WBC so far

Paul Skenes has been an absolute force on the mound, finishing his 2026 WBC run with a perfect 2-0 record and a dominant 1.08 ERA. In his most recent start during the semifinals, the reigning NL Cy Young winner shut down a star-studded DR Team lineup, allowing only one run over 4.1 innings while showcasing a fastball that averaged 97.6 mph.

Skenes limited opponents to a meager .226 batting average throughout the tournament, cementing his status as Team USA‘s undisputed ace and the primary reason they are heading into the championship game.

Overflowing talent on the mound

Under the pitching coach Andy Pettitte, the Team USA roster features a powerhouse rotation headlined by Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Logan Webb. However, the most compelling story of the tournament is the rise of the Mets’ two-way star, as Nolan McLean knows his moment has arrived with Team USA after being named the starter for the championship final.

Supported by a shutdown bullpen including Mason Miller and David Bednar, McLean’s elite 2.06 ERA and high-90s velocity provide the Americans with the pitching depth necessary to secure the gold.

Waiting on their final opponent

After defeating the Dominican Republic 2–1 in a tense semifinal on Sunday, Team USA has secured its spot in the championship game and is now waiting for the winner of the Venezuela vs. Italy matchup. The grand final of the 2026 WBC will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, at 8:00 p.m. ET at loanDepot park in Miami.

The Dominican Republic have had an impressive tournament with victories over Venezuela, Israel, the Netherlands, and Nicaragua. In the quarterfinals, they looked absolutely dominant, defeating Korea 10-0.

Now, the eyes of the world will be on Skenes as he faces names like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Manny Machado. The implications are enormous for what has already been labeled as one of the sporting events of the year.

What happens if Team USA loses today against Dominican Republic?

If Team USA loses today against the Dominican Republic, the Americans will be officially eliminated from the tournament. This scenario would be a failure for the U.S. after being labeled as favorites before the start of the tournament.

What happens if Team USA beats Dominican Republic in WBC?

If Team USA beats the Dominican Republic today in the World Baseball Classic, that will secure a spot in the tournament final. Aaron Judge’s team would then have to wait for the winner of the game between Italy and Venezuela for the title game, which will be played on Tuesday.

Skenes has had the upper hand against Soto. In three at-bats, the Dominican slugger is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against the Team USA pitcher. While they have never faced each other in the World Baseball Classic, the two are familiar with one another from their MLB matchups since 2024.

Another dangerous Dominican hitter, Ketel Marte, has also struggled against Skenes in their MLB meetings. The Arizona Diamondbacks veteran is 0-for-5 against him, with his only positive result being a walk.

Skenes stats vs. Dominican Republic lineup

Nearly every Dominican player who has faced Skenes in the majors has been neutralized. The only exception is Julio Rodríguez, who has three hits in six at-bats against him. Even then, those hits resulted only in a couple of doubles and did not produce any RBIs or runs scored.

• Julio Rodríguez — 3-for-6
• Ketel Marte — 0-for-5
• Juan Soto — 0-for-3 (2 K)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — 0-for-2 (1 K)
• Junior Caminero — 0-for-3
• Austin Wells — 0-for-2
• Geraldo Perdomo — 0-for-7 (2 K)

Antonio Puesan compiled this list on X (@antoniopuesan), highlighting Dominican players currently representing the island in the 2026 WBC who have already faced Skenes in the majors. Still, several Dominican analysts and reporters believe that dominance could change in the semifinal matchup.

“Paul Skenes is a superstar, that’s true. He’s taken MLB by storm and earned all his accolades. But it’s not the same facing lineups where you only have to watch out for one or two big hitters, as it is facing a lineup where you pretty much have to watch out for nine stars,” wrote Mike Rodriguez on X (@mikedeportes).

So far in the World Baseball Classic, Skenes has recorded seven strikeouts, all coming against Mexico. He did not allow a single run across four innings pitched, with only one batter managing a hit in the second inning before he shut down the rest of the lineup.

Undoubtedly, this will be the most important game in the professional career of the Pittsburgh Pirates star. In what many fans and experts see as an early final, Skenes will face a historic challenge.

The Dominican Republic lineup is fearsome, with names like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte. Given the inconsistency shown by the American squad throughout the tournament, Skenes must be the answer to advance.

What’s the pitch count limit for Paul Skenes in World Baseball Classic?

Paul Skenes has a limit of 95 pitches according to the tournament rules. There’s an increase in the number of pitches allowed for the semifinal and the final in the World Baseball Classic compared to the quarterfinals (80) and the first round (65).

However, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa confirmed that, most likely, in order to protect Skenes ahead of the start of the 2026 MLB season, his limit will be between 75 and 80 pitches.

Although DeRosa said the final decision has not been made and that it will be consulted with Andy Pettitte, it does not seem like they will push Paul Skenes to the limit despite the expectations. Obviously, depending on the game situation, everything could change.

The report on Skenes’ comments was shared by Shawn Spradling on X (@shawn_spradling): “Out of all the jerseys I’ve had, the USA one is the one I’m most proud of wearing,” said the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, who is still waiting for his chance to take the mound in the WBC.

It’s not the first time Skenes has expressed pride about representing Team USA. On Feb. 25, he said, “We’re America, we’ve got to assert our dominance over everybody else. That’s what we do,” referencing the dominance the United States has historically shown in the Winter Olympic Games.

Skenes has always wanted to play for the national team

A month before the World Baseball Classic even began on February 5, Skenes admitted he didn’t hesitate when Mark DeRosa asked him to join the roster to play with the national team, something that he always wanted to do for his country.

“I don’t need time… In high school I thought I was going to be flying jets. As a fan of the game I was like, ‘If I ever get the chance to do this, I’m never saying no,’” Skenes said during an interview segment on MLB Network, where he appeared alongside Aaron Judge and Tarik Skubal.

Skenes could soon get his opportunity to debut for Team USA. According to Underdog MLB on X (@underdogmlb), he was expected to be part of the planned rotation and could take the mound against Mexico national baseball team. His arm would be key in slowing down a strong opponent, and he could also pitch in another stage of the tournament.

• Logan Webb vs. Brazil
• Tarik Skubal vs. Great Britain
• Paul Skenes vs. Mexico
• Nolan McLean vs. Italy
• Quarterfinal – Webb
• Semifinal – Skenes
• Final – McLean