Coming off one of the best two-year starts to a career for any pitcher in MLB history, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is receiving a record pre-arbitration bonus.
The 2025 NL Cy Young winner got a $3.4 million payment from the pre-arbitration bonus pool for his efforts in Pittsuburgh this past season.
The bonus pool was implemented by MLB and the MLB Players Association when the most recent collective bargaining agreement was ratified in March 2022.
Pre-arbitration players are eligible to receive a share of the $50 million annual pool if they finish in the top five of MVP or Cy Young voting; finish in the top two for Rookie of the Year voting; or make the All-MLB team.
Skenes’ payout includes a $2.5 million share for winning the NL Cy Young and $1 million share for cracking the All-MLB first team. His total earnings from the pre-arb bonus pool dating back to the 2024 season is now up to $5.6 million.
The 23-year-old earned $2.2 million from the bonus pool last year. His 1.96 ERA since making his MLB debut in 2024 is the 10th-lowest by any pitcher over any 55-star span since MLB lowered the mound in 1969.
Despite being a year away from arbitration and four years away from free agency, Skenes has already found himself the subject of trade speculation from people trying to put him on the New York Yankees.
Skenes himself has acknowledged he has seen the talk, but doesn’t put any thought into it because his “goal is to win with the Pirates.”
There does seem to be a lot of chatter out of Pittsburgh right now that the Pirates are at least open to adding talent in free agency more than they have been in a long time.
Until the Pirates actually make a move, it’s fair to be skeptical of this notion. But at least Skenes’ presence seems to have ownership willing to try some things in an effort to field a more competitive team in 2026.