MLB Insider Identifies Pirates ‘Untouchables’ Before Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Pirates could explore all their options before MLB’s July 31 trade deadline. However, two players are reportedly off the table.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Pirates won’t listen to offers on two vastly different players. The MLB insider said Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen are the team’s “only untouchables.”

Few players in the game (if any) carry more trade value than Skenes, who has posted a 2.03 ERA in 40 dominant starts since arriving last year. The 23-year-old is under team control through 2030, so there’s little urgency to pursue a franchise-altering blockbuster.

Speculation has nevertheless surfaced over whether the Pirates should shop Skenes for a massive haul amid a 32-50 campaign. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington dismissed that idea last month when declaring that a Skenes trade is “not part of the conversation at all.”

Rosenthal’s colleague, Jim Bowden, said last week that multiple teams will ask about Skenes anyway. The former MLB general manager felt the Pirates should at least listen.

McCutchen is more in line with the type of veteran a seller moves at the deadline. Playing on a one-year deal, the 38-year-old could help a contender as he continues to offer above-average offense (107 weighted created plus) in his 17th season. A deadline deal would also give the designated hitter a chance to pursue his first World Series title.

Yet the Pirates would rather keep the franchise icon, who recently passed Roberto Clemente for third on the team’s home run leaderboard behind Willie Stargell and Ralph Kiner. The 2013 National League MVP made five All-Star appearances throughout a career that could lend Hall of Fame consideration.

McCutchen hasn’t disclosed any retirement plans, but keeping him past the deadline could increase the likelihood of ending his career in Pittsburgh.

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