The record financials for Paul Skenes are well underway, and he still has another four years before he becomes a free agent.
The reigning NL Cy Young winner received a record $3,436,343 from this season’s pre-arbitration pool, according to the Associated Press.
He has now received $5,588,400 from the pool spanning his two years in the big leagues, with the program reportedly designed to reward successful players before arbitration.
Paul Skenes is going to be paid a lot in his career. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Skenes, 23, is not eligible for arbitration until after this season.
The pre-arbitration sums are not to be confused with Skenes’ yearly salary, which is low for now due to baseball’s arbitration process.
Skenes earned $564,946 in his inaugural season in 2024 when he won NL Rookie of the Year, and $875,000 this year when he earned top pitcher honors for the NL.
The righty is one of 101 players to receive a pre-arbitration bonus this year, which reportedly includes a set amount should a player win a major award such as MVP, Cy Young or Rookie of the year, plus the remaining money from the $50 million pool being doled out based on a WAR formula.
Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. set the record last year when he received $3,077,595 while finishing second in the AL MVP voting behind Aaron Judge.
Paul Skenes celebrates his NL Cy Young. @livvydunne/Instagram
This record is likely one of many Skenes will set in the majors, provided he stays healthy.
The former LSU star is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory, going 21-13 with a 1.96 ERA spanning his first 55 starts in the majors.
He’s a two-time All-Star, has finished top three in Cy Young voting in both seasons and also earned a pair of top-20 finishes in NL MVP voting.
While he may not crack Shohei Ohtani’s $70 million annual average value since the Dodgers star is a two-way phenom, Skenes should easily clear the record $325 million pitching contract signed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto ahead of the 2024 season.
A report emerged stating he told teammates he hoped to be a Yankee, but he dismissed that notion and said he’s focused on turning the Pirates into winners.
Paul Skenes (l) and Livvy Dunne (r) in Hawaii. SL/WCP / BACKGRID
In the meantime, Skenes is enjoying his offseason away from the Pittsburgh cold.
He and girlfriend Livvy Dunne enjoyed a nice Hawaiian vacation, with Dunne providing candid shots of the college lovebirds.