The 2024 MLB season hasn’t gone well for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton got a vote of confidence from GM Ben Cherington on Wednesday. Kevin Gorman shared on Twitter:
Pirates GM Ben Cherington said he believes Derek Shelton is the “right person to manage this team in 2025” and that he fully expects Shelton to return.
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH)
Going into Wednesday’s games, the Pirates are at 69-76 with a minus-47 run differential, sitting last in NL Central. They are likely heading towards their ninth losing season in a row. Shelton, now in his fifth year as manager, has a record of 287-404 (.415). If trends continue, this will be their third last-place finish under him.
Despite these numbers, there have been improvements. Look at their yearly winning percentages:
- 2020: .317
- 2021: .377
- 2022: .383
- 2023: .469
- 2024: .476
The Real Issue:
The team’s struggles often point back to owner Bob Nutting’s reluctance to spend enough on players. The Pirates aimed for a better than .500 season and maybe even playoffs in 2024. There are still signs of hope with rookie ace Paul Skenes joining the team.
Fans might think it’s not really Shelton’s fault but rather the lack of investment from above.
Cherington’s words leave some room for doubt about Shelton’s future. However, it’s tough to blame him entirely for the team’s issues. He’ll probably need significant progress next year to keep his job.
What do you think? Should they stick with Shelton or look for new leadership?
