Pirates Face Criticism for Underwhelming Roster Support Around Star Pitcher Paul Skenes

Despite Paul Skenes' historic rookie season, analysts and fans question Pittsburgh's limited offseason investments and ownership's commitment to contention.

Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, delivered a dominant debut season with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.
The Pirates' offseason moves, including the acquisition of veterans like Andrew Heaney and Tommy Pham, have been criticized as insufficient to bolster the team around Skenes' generational talent.
Analysts and fans have called out team owner Bob Nutting for maintaining a low payroll, projected at $88 million, and missing an opportunity to build a competitive roster.
The Pirates' promising young core includes Skenes, Jared Jones, and Oneil Cruz, but concerns remain about the team's offensive consistency and bullpen depth.
The franchise has not reached the postseason since 2015, and critics argue that without significant investment, the Pirates risk squandering Skenes' prime years.