Ex-Reds GM challenges Pirates to support Paul Skenes with apt fallback after missing Kyle Schwarber

Paul Skenes enjoyed an incredible 2025 season. Finishing with a 10-10 record, 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts, the young starter won the NL Cy Young award.

Despite his best efforts, however, the Pirates endured an extremely disappointing campaign. Finishing in last place in their division, the NL Central, with a 71-91 record, the Bucs failed to qualify for the playoffs for the tenth consecutive year.

Looking to improve their roster this offseason, the Pirates were linked with one of the top free agents on the market, Kyle Schwarber. Ultimately, they failed to get the deal over the line, and Schwarber re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

According to former Cincinnati Reds general manager Jim Bowden, the organization should now consider pursuing Eugenio Suarez as an alternative.

"Let's get some power for this pitching staff," Bowden said. "They got a starting pitching staff that can keep them competitive. We gotta score runs. Let's go get (Eugenio) Suarez and get that power in the middle there. Let's get some three-run homers for this pitching staff, so Paul Skenes doesn't lose 2-1 and 1-0 every fifth day. "I want run support for him. Eugenio hit 49 (home runs) last year. (Pirates general manager) Ben Cherington, let's go! If you have that much money to throw at (Kyle) Schwarber, you certainly can bring in Suarez."

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The Pirates have their work cut out for them if they wish to make the most of Paul Skenes' time at PNC Park, says insider

In early November, The Athletic's Stephen J. Nesbitt wrote about how important this offseason is for the Pittsburgh Pirates. With a talent like Paul Skenes on their roster, the Bucs must adequately strengthen their roster to make the most of their competitive window.

"With soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes now four seasons from free agency, this is the time for owner Bob Nutting to push as many chips as he has to the center of the table to ensure he won’t waste any more years of the ace’s healthy and controllable prime," Nesbitt wrote. "Will the Pirates finally sign a free agent to a multiyear deal? Or will they trade pitching to improve a woeful lineup? They clearly can’t run it back, but they also haven’t yet shown a willingness to act with urgency to chart a new course. The fate of the Skenes era is in the hands of an owner who has historically been unwilling to spend."

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds - Source: Getty

Paul Skenes is set to become a free agent in the winter of 2029, after which he will most likely have his pick between the major leagues' top dogs.

Edited by Raghav Mehta