By Ken Rosenthal, Stephen J. Nesbitt and Zack Meisel
With slim playoff odds, the Pittsburgh Pirates are faced with a tough decision regarding their star pitcher, Paul Skenes.
Skenes is in his first full professional season, having thrown a significant number of innings already. The team has the option to end his season early to protect his long-term health and potentially improve their chances in the future.
While there are concerns about Skenes’ performance in the Rookie of the Year race, the Pirates are not planning to shut him down at this time. They do have some considerations about managing his workload, similar to how the White Sox are handling Garrett Crochet.
Skenes’ situation is influenced by a league rule that rewards top Rookie of the Year candidates with a full year of service time, regardless of how long they spend in the majors. This rule has significant implications for both players and teams.
The Pirates face a dilemma regarding Skenes, as shutting him down could impact his chances in the Rookie of the Year race and their control over him as a player. The decision is further complicated by another rule that could prevent the Pirates from receiving a draft pick if Skenes wins Rookie of the Year.