Entering the new season, the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves at the bottom of the National League Central, grappling with injuries to key players like Jared Jones, Spencer Horwitz, and Nick Gonzales. However, the spotlight is on Paul Skenes, a 22-year-old pitcher establishing himself as a potential ace with an impressive 197 ERA+ since his debut. As he heads toward arbitration eligibility in 2026, questions arise about the Pirates' financial capacity to retain him amid a historically low payroll.

The organization’s lack of urgency during offseason dealings reflects a concerning trend. While other teams swiftly address roster deficiencies, the Pirates have hesitated to make impactful changes, exemplified by their delayed decision to remove David Bednar as closer after a rocky start. Additionally, the team's experiment with Oneil Cruz in center field, despite his defensive struggles, raises eyebrows. The Pirates must act decisively to build around Skenes before time runs out.