When Don Kelly was immediately extended as the Pirates manager on Monday, it certainly felt like a positive thing on the surface. It’s safe to say that most within the organization, and a lot of fans (certainly not all), welcomed the idea of Kelly, a Pittsburgh guy, getting a fair shot after bringing a fresh voice after such a brutal start to the season.
But thinking deeper, with this decision being made so quickly, it only meant one thing: Ben Cherington was coming back. They wouldn’t extend a manager
before bringing in a new General Manager. Cherington was, of course, in attendance, alongside Travis Williams, at Don Kelly’s press conference, and both would only answer tough questions after the press conference was over.
This result is not shocking whatsoever. But what is somewhat surprising is how quickly this decision was made. The organization couldn’t even bother to pretend to reflect on the dark outlook that the current regime has created. Yes, Bob Nutting, after all of the lackluster moves by Cherington over the last six years, didn’t even need 24 hours after game 162 to take what has happened this season at face value and even consider changing course from Cherington, who is widely considered one of the worst general managers in the sport.
Nutting only thinks in terms of dollars, contracts, and loyalty (to him). As a result, the organization doesn’t really care about winning. Cherington reportedly is on board through 2027, and he will receive at least the same amount of time as Neil Huntington (7 years), although Huntington’s teams improved over time, while Cherington’s have gone backwards. It’s not even close to the same situation.
So Pirates fans will have to endure the same song and dance for the third consecutive offseason. Williams and Cherington will discuss the Pirates’ great pitching and how they are ‘close’ to winning, despite their overall record saying otherwise year after year, and nothing notable will be done.
Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette barraged Williams with questions, and it was hard to watch. There was never a good answer, just a typical vague PR response. That’s because they have no answers.
When asked about how the Pirates plan to improve their offense, Williams refused to state how it would be done, other than to say they will.
“We’re not going to speak to payroll,” Williams said. “We never have in the past. But we have the resources sufficient to win, to make the playoffs in 2026.”
He won’t speak to payroll because he knows, just like everyone in this city, that the payroll will never be serious enough to compete. With declining attendance in 2025, we’ll be lucky to see it over $90 million in 2026.
So be sure to buy your tickets now at 1-800-BUY-BUCS to see this “hodgepodge of nothingness” lineup for six months starting next April! Fireworks, bobbleheads, Jared Triolo as your leadoff hitter, and Henry Davis hitting .160! Truly nothing like it!
