Paul Skenes’ promotion to the Pirates’ rotation brought came with plenty of fanfare, but beyond the simple arrival of perhaps the sport’s top pitching prospect, there are also broader implications for his addition to the roster. General manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton said this week that the Bucs will move to a six-man rotation now that Skenes is in the big leagues (link via Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). With three young arms — Skenes, Jared Jones, Quinn Priester — helping to comprise the team’s starting staff, the goal of the six-man group will be to manage that trio’s workload and afford some extra rest.
“Big picture, we’re tracking volume and work volume for every pitcher on the team, no matter who they are,” Cherington told the Pirates beat over the weekend. He went on to add that while he understands Skenes’ workload management will get more attention because of his status as a recent No. 1 overall pick and top-10 prospect in the sport, the Pirates “look at it for every pitcher and it’s a part of the decision-making in terms of again, trying to win a game and also what happens after the game and getting them ready for the next start.”
Skenes joins a staff also including Jones, Priester, Mitch Keller, Martin Perez and Bailey Falter. Veteran lefty Marco Gonzales, currently out with a forearm strain, could factor in once healthy as well — though there’s no current timetable for his return. He’s still in the midst of a weekslong shutdown, though surgery was not a consideration as of late April.
Just how long the Buccos will stick to a six-person staff isn’t presently known. Health will be a prominent factor, as an injury anywhere in the current sextet could simply prompt a move to a more traditional five-man arrangement. The schedule also plays a role. Shelton pointed to a pair of days off in four-day span late this month that could throw a wrench into the six-man plan, noting that the team will “re-evaluate” at that point.
That certainly doesn’t sound like the six-man pivot will be permanent, but it’s of some note that the Pirates are comfortable and perhaps even prefer to use such an alignment when navigating lengthy stretches with little to no time off. Pirates fans will want to check out Gorman’s piece for more extensive quotes from both Cherington and Shelton, as well as some of the pitchers who are in the group. Perez, for instance, explained his rationale for preferring a more conventional five-man setup, while Falter noted that he “loves” the extra day of rest and provided his own explanation.
The other domino effect of Skenes’ big league arrival was the likely departure of a pitcher who once represented the same type of “future building-block” hope that Skenes does now. Certainly, Roansy Contreras was never regarded as well as Skenes is at the moment, but he was the headliner of the trade that sent righty Jameson Taillon to the Yankees.
Contreras was considered one of the game’s 100 best prospects at the time and held his own quite nicely through his first season-plus. In 2021-22, he gave the Bucs 98 innings of 3.67 ERA ball with slightly worse-than-average strikeout and walk rates — all before celebrating his 23rd birthday. The makings of a solid mid-rotation arm looked to be there.
However, Contreras has fallen into a swift decline, losing velocity and watching his strikeout rate drop despite a move to short relief. He’s been tagged for a 6.17 ERA since Opening Day 2023, fanning just under 19% of opponents against a rough 10.6% walk rate. He’s out of minor league options. The Pirates bit the bullet and designated him for assignment to open a 40-man spot for Skenes.
Cherington discussed the difficult decision to do so in an interview with Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cherington said following the DFA that the Pirates still believe Contreras can be “a good big leaguer.” The Pirates gave Contreras as much time as they felt they could, however, and Cherington noted that the “alternative moves we could have made to open up that spot were not going to be best for the team” in the short-term.
That’s a notable departure from the type of rebuilding mindset that has been prominent throughout much of Cherington’s tenure. He was hired following the dismissal of longtime GM Neal Huntington as the Pirates looked to a new voice to rebuild the organization from the ground up.
The Bucs still aren’t a division powerhouse by any means, but they’re five and a half games out in the Central and have the makings of an interesting rotation with Skenes, Jones, Keller and Priester all having risen through the system. Bats like Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes offer some optimism. Ownership may not have given the green light to spend much in the past couple offseasons — Reynolds’ extension notwithstanding — but it seems clear the Pirates are focusing on the here-and-now far more than in the past. It’s easy to argue that an earlier call to the big leagues for Skenes would’ve aligned more with that mentality, but on the same token it’s also fair to point out that the Bucs have typically waited until a player would be past Super Two status before calling up their top prospects. That definitely is not the case with Skenes.
Mackey suggests that another club is likely to trade for Contreras or at least claim him off waivers. I’m inclined to agree. A change of scenery wouldn’t surprise many and seems the likeliest outcome. That, however, also leaves the Bucs with little to show for their trade of Taillon. Mackey runs through several trades that have panned out that way, pointing out that while trades of Joe Musgrove and Jose Quintana have worked out reasonably well (I’d add Adam Frazier, who netted Jack Suwinski), Pittsburgh has come up empty on several notable swaps (Taillon, Starling Marte, Clay Holmes, Josh Bell).
For a front office with perennial payroll restrictions from ownership, converting on trades of big leaguers is exponentially more important. The Pirates surely hope that they won’t be in a position to be trading players away this summer, but if they are, they’ll need to improve over their recent track record.
TheMan 3
Priester doesn’t belong in the rotation, he belongs at Indy. He gives up too many homers per game and throws too many pitches in his mostly short outings, having to rely more on an already weakened relief staff due to the 6 man rotation concept
Macbeth
Jones gives up HRs too. QP needs to face major league hitters.
TheMan 3
Jones’ keeps the team in the game, Priester doesn’t
Priester has been facing major league hitters since late last year and hasn’t shown anything to suggest he’s a major league pitcher
TheMan 3
He’s facing major league hitters right now and has already given up 4 hits and a home run
Make that 6 hits and now 3 runs
Priester doesn’t belong in the majors
Macbeth
He’s given up 4 over 6 in several starts. That’s not a quality start but it’s close and from your 6th guy in this 6 man rotation that isn’t the worst.
No one expects QP to be a 1 2 or 3 guy.
PiratesFan1981
If only they can get an elite superstar who has power at 1B, it would really boost that offense. Right now, not many can hit 25+ Hrs and drive in 100 RBIs a year. So much hype on Cruz, but I see him a 20 HR 80 RBI a year guy. Jack is another possible 20 hr and 80 RBI guy. Hayes is 15 HR 60 RBI guy. Reynolds has fallen off the cliff and not sure what to expect from him. Once a 30 HR 100 RBI guy and now looks like a 15 HR 50 RBI guy. There is no legit power threat in that lineup and the Pirates desperately need that threat.
TheMan 3
Prior to last night’s game, hitting guru ( cough cough) advised Reynolds to crouch over in his batting stance in order to be more of a contact hitter. This idea was a complete failure for several games
In his 5 plate appearances in last night’s game he returned to his normal stance and came through with 2 doubles, 2 singles and a home run
Jack isn’t the player everyone hoped or expected him to be. Through 41 games he has only hit 3 homers and driven in only 12 runs. Doing the math, that’s hardly 20 homers and 80 rbi
When Hayes showed his power surge late last season, he was under the guidance of the Indy hitting coach. This year that coach is gone and Haines is again teaching him which could explain why he only has 1 homer
Rowdy has been a waste of money and a roster spot. He signed for $3 million, while Carlos Santana who wanted to return for this season is making $5.2 million with the Twins
He has 7 homers and hit one in three consecutive games this past weekend
greatwhiteangus
First of all, Nunally was the Altoona hitting coach. And it was just a few visits with the guy. Lots of hitters, and pitchers, look outside their teams to see if they can fix things. It’s not new. The Nunally fired thing is just a conspiracy theory created by button pushing Pitt media and angry fans bought into it. If it were that huge of a problem Nunally would have been let go well before the end of the season. Oh, and the Indy hitting coach was let go the same day as well.
Jack has improved his eye at the plate but it looks like his power has suffered because of it. His BABIP is comically low and is due to come up so I think we’ll see a Jack streak coming shortly.
But I have to know about this Reynolds crouching thing. Do you have a link to that story? I would love to peep it.
TheMan 3
I don’t have a link, I looked at videos of his batting stance in previous games before last night’s game
Announcers have been saying that Jack is close to going on a tear for a few weeks. I will believe it when I see it. His current .178 ba suggests differently
Since you’re such a knowledgeable person that speaks for the Pirates, why did management tell Cruz that he couldn’t have his own hitting coach outside the organization after last year?
And I stand corrected about the hitting coach comment
TheMan 3
Yeah, Jack did really well in his first plate appearance with runners in scoring position
He struck out and against a pitcher not known for being a strikeout pitcher
greatwhiteangus
Reynolds has averaged 25 HRs the last 3 seasons, Cruz has played 140 MLB games in his career and has 26 HRs, Jack averaged 23 HRs his first 2 seasons while not facing many LHP.
Every player slumps but all three have the potential to being thumpers in the lineup, especially Cruz. Jack has even improved his K% where it’s better than league average but his BABIP is so low which is affecting his numbers. Reynolds was never looked at as a 30/100 guy but as more of a placesetter.
You know who was never a 30/100 guy? McCutchen. He came close once. Never has had a 100 RBI season either. Last guys to be 300/100 for the Bucs were Josh Bell, who’s production has cratered, and Pedro Alvarez. The Bucs haven’t been a great offensive team in a very long time, with their best years it’s been about pitching.
But I will say that we do need a more reliable bat somewhere in the lineup. I just don’t know how the Bucs would get that since Bob ain’t gonna pay for it.
TheMan 3
I would gladly take his one close year of 31 homers and 96 rbi with a batting average of .327 if the latter was the trade off
In Cutch’s prime, his contribution to this team was about more than the number of homers he hit
Buccoprojectory
6 man rotation, crazy. Moron Skelton will just remove the starters early and rely on an already overworked bullpen. A disaster in the making.
Last night’s game. Connor Joe On the bench???? Then in the 9th and looking for insurance runs. 2nd and 3rd and Faulty Tellez is up….now why didn’t the moron Skelton pinch hit with Joe. Another absurd in game decision by an overwhelmed and moron manager.
TheMan 3
I wonder if Shelton has small hands
Skeptical
Have watched teams go from a four man rotation to a five man rotation and now a six man rotation. During that time, starting pitchers threw fewer and fewer pitches. Now starters get pulled at a hundred or less pitches. Sadly, I can envision a day when there are no more “starting pitchers”, but teams run a series of pitchers who each go three innings. Nine three inning guys means each pitches every third day. Personally, I miss four man rotations and no one pulling their pitcher after a hundred pitches.
DonOsbourne
The Cards should place a claim on Contreras. They should be trying to collect as many arms as possible before the sell off.
YourDreamGM
I’m thinking it will take a trade.
DonOsbourne
Luken Baker could be an immediate replacement for Rowdy Tellez.
YourDreamGM
Baker more dh than 1b though? Pirates will take best talent over need. If that’s Baker then fine but if it’s a A ball pitcher they will take them. They love Rowdy. They already have a 1b yet they keep playing Rowdy.
DonOsbourne
The advantage of trading with the Cardinals is whoever you get is bound to break out in a big way. Baker might morph into Cecil Fielder if he gets away from the Cardinals.
YourDreamGM
I agree. Their development has fallen off big time.
Mendoza Line 215
You can say that again,but about the Pirates and their “ development” team.
Do you really think that Andy Haines can help anyone to hit?
TheMan 3
Haines certainly knows how to teach batters to strike out, the team is second only to the Rockies in the national league
And before someone says he’s not doing the swinging, his philosophy is that batters take as many pitches per plate appearance to get into the opposing team bullpen
Not putting the ball in play won’t lead to scoring runs
YourDreamGM
Pirates development has been weak for a long time. Cards used to be good.
rangers13
Contreras due to length of control would make a good depth addition for the Rangers.
Blackpink in the area
10 years from now I believe all teams will go to a 6 man rotation. Baseball and the people who make decisions are just so slow to make changes like this. It’s time. Pitchers are breaking down. They added a roster spot a few years ago so no the extra roster spot is not a big deal.
YourDreamGM
Doubt it will help with injuries but worth a try. College pitchers only throw once a week and have tjs.
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
The 26-man roster is not the issue, it’s the 40-man roster. 14 men in the minors often means 8 pitchers, a catcher, 2 middle infielders, and 3 corners/outfielders. That means that once you get to the 22nd pitcher it’s time to ride the DFA carousel hard.
The Pirates have already used 18 pitches just past the 1/4 mark of the season. Last year, they used 29 over the course of the season.
Blackpink in the area
How does a 6 man rotation change any of that?
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
Because with a 6-man rotation you probably need 3-4 starters in the minors on the 40-man. Injuries aren’t going to go down because starters will continue to be asked to chase speed. No team’s 9th or 10th starter is any damn good and it will come at the expense of not having enough relievers on the Indianapolis shuttle.
Blackpink in the area
I think if teams used a 6 man rotation for an extended period of time we would see less injuries. And if really needed they can always expand the 40 man roster rules.
YourDreamGM
Fire Nutting Williams Cherington Shelton Haines. They aren’t smart enough to win in Pittsburgh. Pitching might give them a few good seasons but Pittsburgh needs top tier management to really succeed.
TheMan 3
Top tier? I would be happy with above average. The group that currently runs the Pirates are a collection of below mediocrity
YourDreamGM
Cherington is above average, not by much though. Shelton is impressive. It’s rare to see someone with so much baseball experience know so little about baseball. I believe the only department Williams Nutting pays any attention to is accounting.
TheMan 3
above average for his failed player development, or his signing of Chapman and Tellez?
Or his first round draft pick, Henry Davis?
The only thing he didn’t fail at was drafting Skenes and that didn’t take a rocket scientist to accomplish that
YourDreamGM
There’s at least 15 worst gms. Doesn’t mean Cherington is good just there are worst. Look at all the teams with similar or worst records. All but Vegas spent more money. Much more $. Look at all the awful contracts. Just having a small market cheap owner keeps you from being bottom 10 gm.
Mendoza Line 215
I think that firing Haines is long ago a must and Shelton too If Cherington is not pulling the puppet strings.I think that Shelton is OK to lead a mediocre team but not a team who can be better than that.
Cherington needs someone smart over him to correct his deficiencies.He is good at certain things,but blind to other things.
Better development people should have been hired two- three years ago.
Their pitching coaching staff has done a relatively good job.
Nutting and Williams will not Be going anywhere.
Hotdog 2
Rather have 20 to 30 young pitchers over skenes. Lots of 4 innings, 3 walks, 2 hits, 8 ks, 2 runs starts in his future. Not built to last
Blackpink in the area
Tell me you didn’t watch his debut without telling me you didn’t watch his debut.
Dude is a stud.
TheMan 3
Considering the national hype, the national expectations, it would be unnatural for Skenes not to be nervous during his major league debut and I think he was quite nervous
KaraokeTJ
Only a MORON would’ve given up on Contreras! We will see just how idiotic that move was when another team figures out how the Pirates screwed him up & how to fix him. You’d think with their track record of pitchers IMPROVING after they leave that the Pirates would’ve learned by now, but nooooo.
Roansy, say hello to Cole, Morton, Glasnow, Holmes, Musgrove, Wilson & all the other pitchers who were told ONE thing when they went to their new teams: “You know how the Pirates told you to pitch? Forget ALL of it!”.
YourDreamGM
If they can’t fix him ( and they can’t) what good is it to keep him?
wvsteve
Cherington has had one of winning season as a GM. He traded off solid players and really didn’t land much back in return with the exception of Bednar. Struck gold with skenes and jones has a chance to be very good, but other then that not one multiple year impact player signed as free agent and best 3 players who got extensions are all Huntington guys
TheMan 3
plus he hired Andy Haines, the team’s hitting guru
Albino Rhinos
So when are Skenes next two starts? Can’t seem to find that…
TheMan 3
Skenes starts next on Friday against the Cubs in Chicago
Albino Rhinos
And what about week after? I am going to game the following Friday against ATL and my son is really hoping to see him pitch!
TheMan 3
If the rotation is 6 pitchers, do the math according to the schedule
pohle
what a tough crowd, i hope you and your son get to see skenes in action.
Albino Rhinos
I know right. I actually read the article referenced in this post, and it seemed like it could change next with with the off day. Just hoping maybe a dialed in Pirate fan had seen something that might indicate the upcoming plans. I’m capable of doing the math, which does line up for the game we are attending, which is why I am here. But apparently being smart and rude is more fun…
TheMan 3
tough crowd?
How would a fan know when any player or pitcher will next start knowing how this manager pulls his lineups out of his rear?
All an average person can say or do is speculate on the schedule
Albino Rhinos
A lot of fans follow beat writers who speculate or hear things from the manager or people within the organization. It was an honest question that I thought maybe someone could shed light on. Next time, instead of being like that, just skip past the question I guess.
vtadave
yeah so tough to find