The Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox have already let go of their managers, and the season isn’t even finished. Could Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton be next (fingers crossed)?
Ken Rosenthal, an MLB insider for The Athletic, released a list of the 10 MLB managers likely to face the most scrutiny this offseason, and it’s no surprise that Shelton’s name is included. What may be surprising, however, is Rosenthal’s take on Shelton’s job security.
“Shelton,” Rosenthal stated, “feels safe.”
Safe? Seriously? Let’s take a look: the Pirates are on track for their sixth consecutive losing season, with Shelton leading for the last five. Most recently, they were competitive in the National League Wild Card race during the All-Star break, only to suffer a 7-20 collapse in August that dashed any postseason hopes.
Unless the Pirates (74-85) manage to sweep the New York Yankees in their final three games this weekend—an outcome that seems unlikely—they will finish the season with only one more win than last year. Surely, that’s not what Pirates owner Bob Nutting would consider a “meaningful step forward” for 2024.
Derek Shelton’s fate rests in Bob Nutting’s hands… so don’t hold your breath
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentioned earlier this month that he “fully expects” Shelton to return as manager in 2025, calling him “the right person” for the role. However, the ultimate decision on Shelton’s future isn’t entirely Cherington’s to make.
Rosenthal noted that any changes in the Pirates’ front office will happen only if Nutting is “content with the status quo”—perpetual mediocrity. If maintaining that status is Nutting’s aim, he has succeeded with both Shelton and Cherington; thus, no changes are needed.
Like Shelton, Cherington is also wrapping up his fifth season with the Pirates. It’s difficult to envision Nutting firing one without the other. Unless he opts to “completely overhaul the operation,” as Rosenthal suggests, it seems that Shelton is likely to remain.
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