“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.

The $140 million deal marks the largest investment in a single player in Pirates history, shattering the previous record held by Bryan Reynolds. For a franchise often criticized for its spending habits, this move signals a bold new era under the current front office.

Griffin’s extension is a landmark moment for the organization. After revealing how he felt after his Pirates debut, he also made history by committing nine figures to the 19-year-old and with it, Pittsburgh has completely reset its internal pay scale. Griffin now sits alone at the top of the Pirates’ all-time richest contracts:

Early returns for Pirates with Griffin

While Griffin is still finding his power stroke at the Major League level, his presence in the lineup has been an immediate catalyst. Through his first five games, the Pirates have surged to a 4-1 record.

Griffin is currently batting his way through the early-season adjustment period, posting a .300 OBP with three hits and three RBIs. Though he has yet to record his first career home run or stolen base, his plate discipline and ability to drive in runs in clutch situations have already validated the hype.

The road ahead

A contract of this magnitude naturally brings immense pressure, but the young shortstop seems unfazed by the spotlight. “He hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential,” one scout noted.

If Griffin develops into the five-tool superstar the Pirates are betting on, this $140 million price tag might eventually look like a bargain. For a city hungry for a deep October run, the message is clear: the Pirates are no longer just developing talent, they’re keeping it.

“It was awesome,” Griffin said, according to MLB.com. “Getting a win, as well, was the cherry on top. That was hands down one of the best days of my life.” The 19-year-old shortstop also acknowledged the Pirates organization and scout Darren Mazeroski, who signed him after taking a chance on the young prospect.

Griffin’s ascent to the majors has been impressive. Considered a five-tool player, he slashed .438/.571/.625 in five Triple-A games this season and hit .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games last year, earning Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year award.

His debut made him the youngest Pirate to collect a hit in an MLB debut since Bill Mazeroski in 1956, with Pittsburgh’s rising talent drawing wider attention as NY Yankees keep eyes on Paul Skenes.

Immediate impact at the plate

In his first at-bat, Griffin crushed a 1-2 curveball from Orioles starter Kyle Bradish into the left-center-field gap at 105.8 mph, scoring on a single by Jared Triolo. The double ignited a four-run second inning, giving starter Mitch Keller a comfortable lead to work with.

A moment to remember

Beyond the numbers, Griffin focused on savoring the moment. “Running onto the field, hearing my name called, I tried to just be present. I couldn’t really feel my feet much, but I just tried to be where my feet were and enjoy the moment,” he said.

Griffin also honored Bill Mazeroski’s legacy and acknowledged Darren Mazeroski’s role in his journey, highlighting the personal meaning behind his historic debut.

“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.

The move immediately thins the Blue Jays’ bench but creates a window of opportunity for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, and Miami Marlins, all of whom are reportedly scouring the market for late-spring additions.

According to MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, Jimenez remains a hot commodity despite the demotion. “Several teams are interested in having him in MLB,” Rodriguez posted on X.

The decision comes as a surprise to some, given Jimenez’s respectable spring numbers, including a .286 average and a .524 slugging percentage. However, those stats weren’t enough to convince manager John Schneider, who has extended his contract with the Blue Jays.

Jimenez could have a future in the Blue Jays?

While Jimenez will report to Buffalo for now, his future in the organization remains fluid. Despite the reported interest from the Pirates, Angels, Rockies and Marlins, there are not formal deals confirmed.

For the Blue Jays, keeping Jimenez in the system serves as a high-end “insurance policy.” If an injury strike a primary DH or outfielder like George Springer or Justin Turner, Jimenez would likely be the first call-up.

However, the 28-year-old’s tenure in Toronto could be short-lived. If an interested suitor offers a guaranteed Major League contract, the Blue Jays may be forced to decide between depth and a potential trade return.

Why Jimenez missed the cut

Despite his solid spring, two glaring concerns likely weighed on the coaching staff’s decision:

• Power outage: Jimenez has not hit a Major League home run since 2024, a worrying trend for a player whose primary value is his power.
• Availability issues: Reliability remains a factor, as Jimenez averaged only 89 games per season between 2021 and 2024.

With the roster now set, the Blue Jays are moving forward, but the Eloy Jimenez sweepstakes may be just getting started.

The report came from Andrew Fillipponi on X: “Awesome Pirates insider Jason Mackey gives the Pirates a 60% chance of signing Konnor Griffin to an extension before Opening Day. Mackey projects the contract will be north of $100 million. That would be INCREDIBLE.”

Griffin has already seen action with the Pirates during the MLB spring training and has made a solid impression, posting a .222 batting average with two home runs, two hits and four RBIs. For a 19-year-old, he is viewed as a potential cornerstone piece who could bolster the team’s infield.

Griffin could debut in 2026 with the Pirates

“We’re looking at a generational player. I’ve been around long enough to know what I see,” Harold Reynolds said of Griffin during an MLB Network segment, suggesting it’s very possible the young infielder could make the team and debut in the upcoming season.

Another analyst who believes Griffin could realize his dream next year is Ken Rosenthal. “It looks like he’s trending toward being their Opening Day shortstop,” Rosenthal said, while also noting that the young Pirates prospect is widely regarded as the consensus No. 1 prospect.

“Could somebody do that with the Pirates? Come in and say, ‘Alright, give us 48-49% of the team, and we’re going to make this a powerhouse again. We’re going to keep all this talent here,’” Dan Patrick said on his show after watching what Griffin has done in Triple-A and during spring training.

“I’m planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26. I don’t know how many innings you play in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up, ramped up for that,” Skenes recently told multiple reporters.

His remarks caught the attention of several analysts, including those on MLB Tonight, who reacted to the Pirates’ ace’s bold mindset: “This guy is a throwback to the days of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens… power pitchers that aren’t afraid to go out there.”

Skenes says Pirates have what it takes

Skenes, who posted a 1.97 ERA across 32 games last season, his highest total in a single year so far, said the Pirates currently have a solid roster, and the only thing that could stop them from going far is themselves.

“There’s nothing stopping us from being — call it whatever you want — the best group we can be, the best group in baseball, whatever,” Skenes said Wednesday. “The only thing that’s going to get in our way is ourselves.”

“That’s always good to see,” Skenes added, also noting he feels great to be back with his teammates, a sign of strong chemistry heading into the 2026 season. “We had a good group this weekend, but first day is always fun. So it’s nice to be back.”

“I’m planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26. I’m not sure how many innings are in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up and ramped up for that,” Skenes confidently declared to the media ahead of the opening spring training game.

With the key acquisitions of Marcell Ozuna and Brandon Lowe, the Pirates aim to make a significant impact this season. Skenes is poised to lead the charge, backed by these strategic roster enhancements.

The Pirates, with their offseason signings, are determined to erase the memories of a disappointing 2025 season. There’s an eagerness among fans to see their team return to the postseason, fueled by the fresh talent now at their disposal.

The full roster additions for the Pirates

Alongside Ozuna and Lowe, the Pirates made several key acquisitions this offseason, strengthening their lineup significantly. If these players perform as expected and Skenes consistently delivers quality starts, securing a postseason berth will certainly be within reach.

Here is the comprehensive list of new signings:

• Ryan O’Hearn (1B/RF)
• Jose Urquidy (SP)
• Gregory Soto (LHP)
• Mason Montgomery (LHP)
• Mike Clevinger (SP)
• Jhostynxon Garcia (OF)
• Jake Mangum (OF)
• Konnor Griffin (SS)

With these new additions complementing their existing roster, the Pirates are poised to make a statement in the 2026 MLB season. It’s now time to translate potential into performance, capturing the imagination of their devoted fanbase.