There has been rampant speculation that the spiraling Pirates might be better off trading the best young pitcher in MLB for a haul of prospects to boost their offense.

Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, will take the mound for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

It may seem unthinkable to trade arguably the best pitcher in baseball who is just 22 years old, hasn't even hit arbitration and has four-plus seasons of team control remaining on his contract, but the Pittsburgh Pirates would certainly get a haul if they did decide to move Paul Skenes.