Paul Skenes’ historic arbitration raise should eliminate Pirates’ favorite offseason excuse

Emma Lingan of Rum Bunter argues that the Pittsburgh Pirates must not use Paul Skenes' projected $7.2 million arbitration salary as an excuse to avoid offseason spending. MLB Trade Rumors projects the historic raise for Skenes in his first year of arbitration eligibility, which approaches Dallas Keuchel's pitcher record of $7.25 million set in 2016.

Lingan asserts that because Skenes, Jared Jones, and Oneil Cruz remain bargains compared to market value, Pittsburgh must invest in veteran talent immediately following an 82-80 season rather than pursuing only low-cost additions.