The Pittsburgh Pirates are charting a course towards 2026, marked clearly by their recent trade decisions. The organization parted with closer David Bednar and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, signaling a transition from immediate competition to a long-term strategy. This shift is felt particularly by pitcher Paul Skenes, the team's standout this season with a remarkable 2.02 ERA and 154 strikeouts, who expressed a commitment to winning despite the challenges ahead.

Skenes emphasized that progress will not solely be measured by wins and losses. Instead, the focus will be on development and building a stronger team for the next season. The team has already identified the need to bolster its offense and sees the trades as a step towards acquiring better hitters in the offseason. However, the decision to retain veterans like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tommy Pham has drawn mixed reactions.