GM Ben Cherington isn’t satisfied with Pirates’ progress
The fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates followed two consecutive 100-loss seasons with back-to-back 76-win seasons might be seen as progress, but general manager Ben Cherington isn’t celebrating.
Not when the Pirates have endured six consecutive losing seasons, missed the playoffs for nine straight years, and faced an epic collapse this season after being buyers at the trade deadline. This collapse included a 10-game losing streak and nine one-run losses, leading to a last-place finish in the NL Central Division.
“I think there’s clear evidence that progress has been made, but it’s clearly not enough,” Cherington stated during a 46-minute news conference to reflect on the season and detail offseason plans. “We are winning more games, but not enough. It has to improve quicker.”
To accelerate this improvement, Cherington made changes to the coaching staff, firing hitting coach Andy Haines, bullpen coach Justin Meccage, and strength and conditioning coach Adam Vish. The Pirates also hired Max Kwan as their international scouting director and will soon interview candidates for two other director positions in research and development and pro scouting.
However, Cherington reaffirmed his support for manager Derek Shelton, who has a 294-414 record (.415) over five seasons. Cherington recommended that both Pirates chairman Bob Nutting and team president Travis Williams retain Shelton and stated that they should enter the 2025 season “accountable together.”
“I believe he can help lead us toward winning in 2025,” Cherington said regarding Shelton. “He executes many aspects of the job very well, works hard, and genuinely cares about the team. Like all of us, including me, he has areas to improve on, which he is fully aware of and committed to addressing.”
Cherington expressed enthusiasm for the challenge of leading the Pirates to the postseason for the first time since the three consecutive wild-card teams from 2013-15.
“I’m confident because I’m energized by the task,” Cherington noted. “It’s a difficult job and not meant to be easy, but that’s part of why we do it. I understand the frustration of fans and stakeholders who care deeply about the Pirates. When results don’t meet expectations, frustration is natural, and I accept that. My focus will remain on making things better, and that will be our primary goal this offseason.”
Highlighting the Pirates’ struggles in building and protecting leads, Cherington committed to improving the major-league roster for the next season, particularly in terms of position players and the bullpen. He reiterated that the Pirates, with an ** $ 86.4 million Opening Day payroll** that ranked 29th out of 30 major-league teams, are unlikely to make significant splashes in free agency. Instead, the focus will be on developing prospects and making strategic trades.
“I don’t know what next year’s payroll will be, but it has gone up each year I’ve been here, and I expect that trend to continue,” Cherington remarked. “However, payroll alone won’t be the main driver of winning in Pittsburgh due to the nature of the game here.”
The Pirates are freeing up about $31 million with one year free deal from ($12.5 Million) and starting pitcher Mitch Keller ( $ 15.412 million), along with nine players eligible for arbitration.
If Cherington has a target for improvement, he is adamant that it won’t be less than reaching the postseason, and he is placing the responsibility squarely on himself.
“I would say that we need to get better, and we need to get better faster. Ultimately, that falls on me. I’m responsible for all of baseball operations,” Cherington said. “If we’re talking about wins and losses, which is ultimately what we need to improve, that’s going to be driven in Pittsburgh, certainly in part, by improvement of players at the major-league level but also largely through continuing to be better at the draft and getting more out of our international scouting operation. Getting more out of trades, getting more out of minor-league player development. All of that matters, absolutely. And, ultimately, I’m responsible for all of that.”
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