ORLANDO, Fla. — After winning the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award his first two seasons, Paul Skenes already has a different title in Year 3: recruiter.

As the Pirates assume a more aggressive posture this offseason, actively engaged in free agency and trades to try and improve their offense, sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday Skenes has taken on a unique role.

Skenes, 23, volunteered his services to general manager Ben Cherington to contact potential free-agent targets around MLB and pitch to them the idea of playing for the Pirates — acting on his belief Pittsburgh isn’t far from fielding a winner.

It’s just the latest step in Skenes’ leadership evolution, from generational prospect to the face of the Pirates and the best pitcher in baseball.

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