Ben Cherington was appointed general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 19, 2019. There was some excitement around Cherington at the time of the hire. As general manager of the Boston Red Sox, he did, in fact, win a World Series.
Regretfully, under Cherington’s leadership, the Pirates’ fortunes have not been as favourable.
The Pirates were terrible in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and they didn’t even try to contend for a postseason spot during the 60 gmae season. The Bucs’ 19-41 record was an MLB low. In a complete season, this translates to a 51-111 pace.
Then, in 2021 and 2022, Cherington and the Pirates had consecutive seasons with 100 losses. 2020–2022 was one of the poorest three-year spans in the franchise’s history based on winning %.
The Pirates had an incredible start to the 2023 season in April, finishing the first month of play with the best record in the National League. But the Bucs’ triumph would only last a short while, as they barely managed to win 76-86.
The Pirates’ 76-86 record marked their fourth consecutive losing season under Cherington’s management. Cherington has now completed with a losing record in 7 of his 8 seasons as an MLB general manager. This includes six times when they placed last in their division.
Unquestionably, Ben Cherington is under pressure as we move towards 2024. Five years in, the rebuilding ought to be finished. It’s time to stop tossing stuff against the wall and see what sticks, and start trying to win baseball games.
Regretfully, there’s not much cause to believe that the Pirates will improve in 2024.
The squad has the weakest starting rotation in the NL Central right now. Right field or designated hitter, second base, and first base versus right-handed pitching.
(whatever Andrew McCutchen chooses not to do) raises a lot of concerns. In addition, the Pirates are in dire need of Henry Davis making a breakthrough this season and are unsure about Oneil Cruz’s potential after a devastating injury.
Cherington’s offseason work has been subpar. That’s not good, considering this was a terrible offseason for him. Although the Pirates have improved since the end of the 2023 season, they are still far from being in the running for a winning record or a postseason spot.
