Pirates Must Consider Trading Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz

The Pittsburgh Pirates are at a pivotal crossroads. Columnist Paul Zeise has stirred up debate with his suggestion to trade two of the team’s most valuable assets—pitcher Paul Skenes and shortstop Oneil Cruz.

Zeise thinks the Pirates should leverage these players while their trade value is sky-high. He believes this could reset the franchise’s trajectory and kickstart a long-term rebuild.

Fans aren’t exactly thrilled about the idea, but Zeise’s argument rests on two points. The Pirates struggle to keep star players long-term, and they desperately need future-focused assets.

Let’s get into his reasoning and what this could mean for the Pirates’ future.

The Case for Trading Paul Skenes: Capitalizing on Elite Talent

Paul Skenes, a generational pitching talent, has landed at the center of Zeise’s proposal. The logic is straightforward: Skenes, as brilliant as he is, probably won’t sign a long-term deal with the Pirates when free agency rolls around.

Instead of risking a minimal return down the line, Zeise suggests trading Skenes now while his stock is at its absolute peak. It’s a tough call, but maybe it’s the pragmatic one.

Why Skenes Commands Value Like Few Others

Skenes brings youth, huge upside, and several years of team control, making him an incredibly attractive target for other MLB teams. Zeise claims his trade value could even surpass what the Pirates got for Gerrit Cole back in 2018.

The Pirates learned from the Cole trade, which many saw as underwhelming. Zeise insists a Skenes deal should focus on snagging multiple top-tier prospects.

This kind of move would help replenish the Pirates’ developmental system. It could also give them a shot at future competitiveness, if things break right.

• Years of Team Control: Skenes gives teams several affordable years, which really boosts his appeal.
• Elite Performance: He’s dominant on the mound and could anchor any rotation.
• Youth Advantage: At 24, Skenes is just entering his prime. That’s a big selling point.

The Argument for Trading Oneil Cruz: Maximizing Potential Value

Oneil Cruz, long hyped as a superstar in the making, is the other player Zeise thinks the Pirates should consider moving. Cruz’s raw talent is obvious—a 6’7” shortstop with rare power and speed—but he hasn’t fully put it all together in the majors yet.

He still has three years of team control, making him intriguing to other teams willing to bet on his ceiling. There’s always a team out there looking for a player like Cruz.

Why It’s Time to Trade Cruz

Zeise recognizes Cruz’s tools and potential, but he cautions against treating him as untouchable. The Pirates’ current direction, along with Cruz’s injury history and inconsistency, might make now the best time to move him for a big return.

• Significant Upside: Cruz’s athletic profile is rare and could change a team’s fortunes.
• Team Control: He’s under affordable control for three more seasons, which adds to his value.
• Market Opportunity: Contenders might overpay for a rising talent like Cruz, driving up his price.

Why Rebuilding is a Priority for the Pirates

Zeise argues the Pirates shouldn’t focus on short-term ticket sales or just keeping flashy stars around. The front office faces a clear reality: struggling to keep marquee players has kept the team from contending year after year.

Trading Skenes and Cruz could land the Pirates a haul of prospects. Maybe that’s the spark the franchise needs to build something sustainable.

The Emotional Trade-Off

Thinking about trading two of the Pirates’ most exciting players is tough for fans. But the franchise has to weigh what’s best for long-term success.

MLB history is full of teams that parted with beloved stars to rebuild, then came back as contenders later. Zeise urges the Pirates to put sentiment aside and face the current realities head-on.

Conclusion: Is Trading Skenes and Cruz the Right Call?

The idea of trading Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz is bold. It stirs up some tough questions about the Pirates’ future.

Should they keep their stars and hope to build a contender, or is it smarter to cash in now and bet on future prospects? Zeise leans hard toward selling high, saying it’s the only real shot for a franchise that probably won’t compete anytime soon.

This suggestion is bound to spark debate. It really highlights the tough choices small-market teams face in a league where big spenders seem to call the shots.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Paul Zeise: Pirates should listen to offers for Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz