Mark Madden's Hot Take: Why are the Pirates protecting Paul Skenes' arm?

On Friday, the Pirates pulled Paul Skenes from his second MLB start while he was pitching a no-hitter.

I get it.

But here’s betting Skenes would have completed the no-no. In six innings, Skenes threw 100 pitches. A vast portion were unhittable. He struck out 11, including the first seven batters he faced. He wasn’t slowing down. His last pitch was 100 mph.

Skenes found the command he lacked in his first start. He had the right blend of composure and arrogance. He was, and is, a true phenom.

But what are the Pirates protecting Skenes’ arm for? For whom?

I’m not saying that pulling him Friday was bad. The Pirates were ahead 8-0 after five innings. The win was assured. (Probably. Hey, they won.)

I’m not saying have him pitch 250-plus innings, like Bob Gibson did eight times. (Last year’s MLB leader pitched just 216 innings.)

But if the Pirates feel they can make the playoffs this season, or during any season while they have Skenes, they need to remember that Skenes will not be pitching here past his arbitration years and probably not even through all of those.

So, lean on Skenes a bit more, and a bit sooner. Jared Jones, too.

It isn’t the Pirates’ responsibility to look out for their careers beyond Pittsburgh. The Pirates shouldn’t feel compelled to protect their arms for the New York Yankees, or Los Angeles Dodgers, or whoever.

Don’t get romantic. There is zero chance that Skenes spends any of his potential free-agent years with the Pirates if his career path goes as expected.

The most likely scenario is that Skenes gets traded during his arbitration years. Skenes would bring big value, and the Pirates would dodge some big paydays.

Until then, get as much as possible out of Skenes.

Don’t put him at crazy risk. Don’t make him throw 12 innings, or 150 pitches. Don’t go Warren Spahn-level old-timey.

But try to win as much as possible while he’s here.

If that means extending Skenes’ workload beyond what you might if you knew you had him for his whole career, do it.

Because you know you won’t have him for his whole career.

For example, don’t shut Skenes down this season because he’s reached a certain innings count if the Pirates are in playoff contention. Keep pitching him.

If the Pirates reach the postseason, Skenes pitches.

Discomfort would dictate otherwise. But don’t be overly cautious.

None of that is remotely unreasonable. It merely puts the team first.