There is a lot of buzz in Pittsburgh’s baseball scene, and most of it is due to Paul Skenes. The young dominant pitcher who has taken the league by storm has quickly earned a name for himself.

Now as the Pirates prepare for the upcoming season, there are several speculations about his future with the team given his impact both on and off the field. The question on everyone’s mind: Should the Pirates lock him down with a long-term extension, or could a move in the trade market be the way to go?

The answer isn’t as simple as it seems. Since Paul’s value isn’t all about his performance on the field. His mere presence in Pittsburgh is already creating waves in the stands and in TV ratings, making him a key figure in the Pirates’ potential revenue growth. Eric Braun, host of Foul Territory, argued similar sentiments: “This coming season, if he is like he was last year, he might be making them 10-15 million dollars just by being there.” The revenues generated from a player of Paul’s caliber could help push the Pirates to boost their attendance numbers and spike their TV ratings.

“He is making them money and there are a few players in the league that will actually significance attendance spikes and TV rating spikes and help you on sponsorship money,” Braun added. He even compared Paul to the likes of Shohei Ohtani, a player who holds the ability to draw the attention of fans as well as sponsors. “Ohtani is the crown jewel of these conversations, there are not many others that fit that bill,” said Braun. In fact, he believes that Paul has the potential to make them more money than the salary that they would have to pay him, “He might be making them 10-15 million dollars just by being there. So if that’s the case you will feel a lot better than paying him about 25-30 million dollars.”

However, Erik Kratz had a different take. He believes that the Pirates have an even bigger opportunity to make more money if they decide to trade him. Kratz suggests the Pirates should “blow the doors off the trade market” and “set an extremely high bar for Skenes’ value,” aiming for a blockbuster deal that could reshape the franchise. Kratz’s perspective is simple: Use Skenes as a catalyst for the revenue and use the money to build a title-potential team.

All in all, it’s all up to the Pirates to decide; their decision could ultimately change the course of their future aspirations.

Paul Skenes on the Trade Block: who could land him?

If at all, the Pittsburgh Pirates decide to trade Paul Skenes, it would mark a major shift in the franchise’s future. Paul, who came off a stellar rookie season, posting a 1.96 ERA and winning the NL Rookie of the Year award, would have his worth at an all-time high.

The Pirates, known for their tighter payroll and cautious approach to big contracts, might view trading Skenes as a way to maximize the value of their assets while avoiding the long-term financial commitment that comes with his extension. So if put on the trade block, Skenes would invite a totally fierce competition with several teams wanting to land the young talent. Teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres could see Skenes as a potential signing.

However, while the thought of trading Paul might seem like a financially beneficial option, it will mean losing on a future ace. The Pirates would be taking the risk of trading Paul without guarantee that the players they receive in return might or might not be of the same caliber as Paul’s. While rebuilding through trade is a strategy that might turn out in their favor, it could leave the Pirates struggling to replace his impact both on the mound and within the organization.