The Pirates’ fall each within the NL Central and the NL Wild Card hunt has prompted loads of hypothesis in regards to the job safety of supervisor Derek Shelton, however normal supervisor Ben Cherington instructed the group’s beat as we speak that he feels Shelton is the “proper particular person to handle this group in 2025” and mentioned he expects Shelton will return subsequent season (X hyperlink by way of Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Evaluate). Shelton initially signed a four-year deal spanning the 2020-23 seasons and was prolonged early within the ’23 marketing campaign.

It’s the second straight 12 months through which the Pirates have proven indicators of getting again into competition within the NL Central, solely to fade in important trend. The ’23 Pirates bought out to one of many hottest begins of any membership in baseball however wilted because the season wore on. This 12 months’s membership rebounded from a sluggish begin with a sizzling summer season exhibiting, going 29-22 in June and July to place themselves as a Wild Card contender. Cherington added Bryan De La Cruz, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jalen Beeks on the deadline in hopes of sparking a postseason push for his membership, however the Bucs responded with a disastrous 8-19 document in August, tanking their playoff hopes. They’re at the moment 69-76, sitting final place within the division.

Shelton, 54, is in his fifth season managing the Pirates. They’ve but to provide a successful document or end higher than fourth within the division beneath his watch, though as is the case with any supervisor of a rebuilding membership, that’s hardly a mirrored image of his effectiveness. The Pirates tore down a lot of the roster and launched into a prolonged rebuilding effort when Cherington was employed, and Shelton has hardly ever been given the makings of a aggressive large league roster. That mentioned, the Buccos have had a greater basis just lately — definitely this season, with Paul Skenes and Jared Jones arriving on the scene — however have but to constantly appear like a well-rounded membership.

Beginning pitching is the group’s power, with Skenes, Jones and Mitch Keller comprising a robust trio atop the rotation. However most of the Pirates’ most touted younger hitters have didn’t progress as hoped — whether or not that be third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who’s declined on the plate amid a collection of again accidents, or former No. 1 general decide Henry Davis, who’s mashed in Triple-A however has but to hold that manufacturing to the majors. Pittsburgh’s bullpen was additionally touted by Cherington as a possible power heading into the season however has typically floundered this season, thanks largely to a shocking step again from former All-Star nearer and Pittsburgh native David Bednar.

Extra to come back.