Despite the Pittsburgh Pirates' dismal season, their young pitching sensation, Paul Skenes, is celebrating a monumental financial reward for his extraordinary individual performance.
A Record-Breaking Payday for a Rising Star
In just his second season in the major leagues, the 23-year-old right-hander has been awarded a record $3,436,343 from MLB's pre-arbitration bonus pool. This colossal sum follows his unanimous victory in the National League Cy Young Award, where he led the entire league with a stunning 1.97 ERA and struck out 216 batters.
This new payment brings his total earnings under the initiative to $5,588,400 over two years. The $50 million pool was established in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement specifically to ensure that the sport's top young talents, who are not yet eligible for arbitration, receive a fairer share of the financial rewards.
Understanding MLB's Pre-Arbitration System
The system is designed to direct more money to elite younger players before they reach three years of service time, the point at which arbitration typically begins. Skenes, who only made his MLB debut in May 2024, is not eligible for arbitration until after the 2026 season.
His base salary for the major leagues was $875,000, a figure that is now dwarfed by this performance-based bonus. The previous record payment from the pool was held by Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who received $3,077,595 for the 2024 season.
Future Uncertainty in Pittsburgh
Selected as the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes immediately lived up to the hype. In his rookie season, he posted a superb 1.96 ERA across 23 starts, becoming MLB's first starting pitcher to record a sub-2.00 ERA since 2022.
However, his individual brilliance has been set against a backdrop of team failure. The Pirates finished bottom of the National League Central for two consecutive seasons, with a miserable overall record of 147-177, and have not made the postseason with Skenes on the roster.
This stark contrast between personal success and team struggles has already ignited trade rumours, with the New York Yankees linked with a move for the superstar pitcher. Concerns have been raised about the Pirates' historical reluctance to pay their biggest stars, casting doubt on Skenes's long-term future in Pittsburgh.
Yet, Skenes has recently moved to quash this speculation. When asked about the rumours, he told the Daily Mail, "Rumors are rumors... I'm glad I had the opportunity to speak to the Pittsburgh media and clear the air over nothing, basically." He insists his focus remains solely on turning the Pirates' fortunes around, signalling his commitment to the club for now.
