Skenes wins NL ROY.

[Bobster]

Good for him. But it costs team a year of control.

[Doc]

I think it’s safe to say the Pirates are unlikely to sign him to an extension. The owner won’t do it and Boras won’t allow it. It’s imperative that Cherington quickly does what’s necessary to build a roster that can win as much as possible over the next three years. If Skenes continues to pitch like he did this season, he’ll price himself out of town by that time.

[Surgnbuck]

I think it’s safe to say the Pirates are unlikely to sign him to an extension. The owner won’t do it and Boras won’t allow it. It’s imperative that Cherington quickly does what’s necessary to build a roster that can win as much as possible over the next three years. If Skenes continues to pitch like he did this season, he’ll price himself out of town by that time.

Boras isn't his agent. Cots has WME listed, but Sportrac has ISE, and ISE sent out congratulatory social media posts.

[Surgnbuck]

Good for him. But it costs team a year of control.

I remember when people were saying they wouldn't bring him up because (add any typical fan belief), yet it happened. Just be thankful when he's donning that HOF jacket, he'll fondly remember his short tenure with the Pirates.

[Doc]

I think it’s safe to say the Pirates are unlikely to sign him to an extension. The owner won’t do it and Boras won’t allow it. It’s imperative that Cherington quickly does what’s necessary to build a roster that can win as much as possible over the next three years. If Skenes continues to pitch like he did this season, he’ll price himself out of town by that time.

Boras isn't his agent. Cots has WME listed, but Sportrac has ISE, and ISE sent out congratulatory social media posts.

Sorry, I thought I read somewhere that Boras was his agent. Well, whoever is advising him, it would be in Skenes’ best interest to bide his time and to go through the arb process. He’ll make fair money doing so. Then, while he’s still in his 20s, he’ll hit free agency and get a contract like the ones Boeing gets from the government.

[Surgnbuck]

I think it’s safe to say the Pirates are unlikely to sign him to an extension. The owner won’t do it and Boras won’t allow it. It’s imperative that Cherington quickly does what’s necessary to build a roster that can win as much as possible over the next three years. If Skenes continues to pitch like he did this season, he’ll price himself out of town by that time.

Boras isn't his agent. Cots has WME listed, but Sportrac has ISE, and ISE sent out congratulatory social media posts.

Sorry, I thought I read somewhere that Boras was his agent. Well, whoever is advising him, it would be in Skenes’ best interest to bide his time and to go through the arb process. He’ll make fair money doing so. Then, while he’s still in his 20s, he’ll hit free agency and get a contract like the ones Boeing gets from the government.

With Skenes, I highly doubt the vast majority of teams wouldn't be able to keep him past the years of control. I do think if the Pirates offered him 25 million a year starting this season, they could easily get his first year or two after arbitration eligible. It's just hard to wrap my mind at what sort of figure he's going to command when his FA time comes. With the numbers I'm hearing around Soto, I keep wondering is MLB soon to be at it's own limit for these contracts? Or will we start seeing things like 30 year contracts at 60 million a year, with most of that pushed down the road like Ohtani's contract? Would I be stupid to even think there's a possibility of seeing a 50 year contract?

[Bobster]

Good for him. But it costs team a year of control.

I remember when people were saying they wouldn't bring him up because (add any typical fan belief), yet it happened. Just be thankful when he's donning that HOF jacket, he'll fondly remember his short tenure with the Pirates.

That's why the last CBA added this provision. The Pirates tried to manipulate his service time by keeping him in the minors long enough to prevent 2024 from counting as a service year UNLESS he finished 1st or 2nd in ROY voting. Which, of course, he did. But that's something no one can predict or control.

[Doc]

Boras isn't his agent. Cots has WME listed, but Sportrac has ISE, and ISE sent out congratulatory social media posts.

Sorry, I thought I read somewhere that Boras was his agent. Well, whoever is advising him, it would be in Skenes’ best interest to bide his time and to go through the arb process. He’ll make fair money doing so. Then, while he’s still in his 20s, he’ll hit free agency and get a contract like the ones Boeing gets from the government.

With Skenes, I highly doubt the vast majority of teams wouldn't be able to keep him past the years of control. I do think if the Pirates offered him 25 million a year starting this season, they could easily get his first year or two after arbitration eligible. It's just hard to wrap my mind at what sort of figure he's going to command when his FA time comes. With the numbers I'm hearing around Soto, I keep wondering is MLB soon to be at it's own limit for these contracts? Or will we start seeing things like 30 year contracts at 60 million a year, with most of that pushed down the road like Ohtani's contract? Would I be stupid to even think there's a possibility of seeing a 50 year contract?

With the amount of money being offered by teams now, no, I don’t think you’re stupid to think a 50-year contract is impossible. When Bonilla got that long-paying contract from the Mets, many made fun of it. But unless Bonilla got some kind of an inflation adjustment built into it, the Mets are saving themselves money as each year goes on. So maybe we will start to see more contracts like the one Ohtani received if clubs can save money over the length of it. Spreading out the costs, if it benefits the teams, would certainly be a better way to do business for the owners.

[fjk090852-7]

I guess we have to enjoy Skenes until he reaches free agency after the 2029 season. The Pirates could also decide to trade him prior to that time. I do hope the Players Association decides to request a salary floor when they negotiate the next CBA after the 2026 season. Possibly a floor would force the Pirates to pay Skenes during the final years of his control to meet the floor threshold. If he must leave by free agency, it would be great for the Pirates to open the 2029 season with him, and if they are not in contention to move him at the trading deadline for a large return.

[Doc]

I guess we have to enjoy Skenes until he reaches free agency after the 2029 season. The Pirates could also decide to trade him prior to that time. I do hope the Players Association decides to request a salary floor when they negotiate the next CBA after the 2026 season. Possibly a floor would force the Pirates to pay Skenes during the final years of his control to meet the floor threshold. If he must leave by free agency, it would be great for the Pirates to open the 2029 season with him, and if they are not in contention to move him at the trading deadline for a large return.

I’d think it’s nearly impossible that Skenes will be here until he reaches free agency. First, the sooner the team trades him, the more the Pirates can expect in return (like five Single A prospects instead of four ). And second, the ownership is going to be squeamish about paying him during his arb years, especially if he’s pitching like he did this past season. He’s going to get way more money than management will want to pay.