Coming off one of the best two-year starts to a career for any pitcher in MLB history, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is receiving a record pre-arbitration bonus. <\/p>\n
The 2025 NL Cy Young winner got a $3.4 million<\/a> payment from the pre-arbitration bonus pool for his efforts in Pittsuburgh this past season. <\/p>\n The bonus pool was implemented by MLB and the MLB Players Association when the most recent collective bargaining agreement was ratified in March 2022. <\/p>\n Pre-arbitration players are eligible to receive a share of the $50 million annual pool if they finish in the top five of MVP or Cy Young voting; finish in the top two for Rookie of the Year voting; or make the All-MLB team. <\/p>\n Skenes’ payout<\/a> includes a $2.5 million share for winning the NL Cy Young and $1 million share for cracking the All-MLB first team. His total earnings from the pre-arb bonus pool dating back to the 2024 season is now up to $5.6 million. <\/p>\n The 23-year-old earned $2.2 million<\/a> from the bonus pool last year. His 1.96 ERA since making his MLB debut in 2024 is the 10th-lowest by any pitcher over any 55-star span since MLB lowered the mound in 1969. <\/p>\n Despite being a year away from arbitration and four years away from free agency, Skenes has already found himself the subject of trade speculation<\/a> from people trying to put him on the New York Yankees. <\/p>\n Skenes himself has acknowledged<\/a> he has seen the talk, but doesn’t put any thought into it because his “goal is to win with the Pirates.”<\/p>\n