Reds' quiet Paul Skenes advantage overlooked as Pirates trade rumors take hold

The Cincinnati Reds will pay a visit to PNC Park this week with a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thankfully, the Reds will miss Pirates' ace Paul Skenes for the second time this season after he pitched eight innings on Sunday. There are some wild rumors, however, brewing in Pittsburgh surrounding the former No. 1 overall pick. Are the Pirates really intent on trading Skenes?

ESPN's Jeff Passan opined about a potential Skenes' trade that could materialize at this year's deadline. While most rational fans would simply laugh at the idea of the Buccos trading their best player not even two years into his major league career, Passan indicated that it won't stop opposing team from attempting to pry Skenes away from the Steel City.

Skenes was visibly upset after Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Pittsburgh is 3-7 in Skenes' 10 starts this season despite last year's NL Rookie of the Year posting an outstanding 2.44 ERA with 62 strikeouts. The Pirates recently fired manager Derek Shelton and are, once again, one of the worst teams in baseball with a 15-32 record.

Reds' quiet Paul Skenes advantage overlooked as Pirates trade rumors take hold

The current state of the Pirates' organization is one that Reds fans can sympathize with. Pittsburgh's ownership refuses to spend big-time dollars in order to improve the roster, and the Pirates haven't been to the postseason in a decade. The once storied franchise with five World Series titles has become a laughingstock.

To add injury to insult, it also sounds like Pittsburgh's other frontline starter is headed for season-ending surgery. Rumors are swirling that right-hander Jared Jones is ticketed for Tommy John surgery, a procedure that will surely drive the Pirates' 2025 season even further into the ground.

But Cincinnati cannot allow Pittsburgh's woes to be a distraction. The Reds are riding high after a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians, and Cincy's four-game win streak is currently the longest in Major League Baseball.

The Reds have been riding the hot hand of outfielder Will Benson who's smashed five home runs in the last four games. PNC Park's short right field corner could be very inviting for Benson and the other Reds' bats during the upcoming three-game road trip.

Cincinnati needs to take care of business against Pittsburgh, because six of their next nine games following this road trip will be against the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors