The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in a dire situation, languishing in last place and facing significant challenges. Despite discussions around improving the team, General Manager Ben Cherington made it clear that trading ace Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is not on the table. The Pirates' offensive struggles are evident, with the club ranking at the bottom in key metrics such as runs, batting average, and OPS. With 26 consecutive games scoring four runs or fewer, they are tying a major league record.

Skenes' individual performance remains impressive with a 2.44 ERA, yet the team’s overall record in games he starts is just 3-5. With a lack of impactful position-player prospects and the recent firing of manager Derek Shelton, the Pirates seem to be at a crossroads. Their bullpen struggles contrast with a solid starting rotation, but the absence of offensive depth is evident. Cherington remains hopeful for improvements, emphasizing the need for the team to work hard to score more runs.