PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He wouldn’t give a 2025 win total. Did not predict a salary number, although said it would increase. Pirates GM Ben Cherington said Wednesday, he, and manager Derek Shelton, will go into 2025 with the strongest roster he’s had in his five years with the Pirates.
“Just as importantly, I believe we will go into 2025 with as strong a baseball operations (staff) since I’ve been here,” Cherington said. “Proof is in the pudding, you have to put in the work and get the results on the field. I’m excited about 2025 and beyond. I believe we will go into 2025 in the strongest position we’ve been in.”
Cherington said ultimately all that went wrong with the 2024 season from the trade deadline moves, to the free agent signings, struggles with the bullpen and coaching changes falls on him. He said simply they need to improve in all areas including the draft, trades and improvement with players already in the system.
He said they are just getting a chance to dig in and identify and solve what they need to alter to get more results on the field and he emphasized getting them long term. They will look at every department and every role for improvement. Not that they don’t believe they have improved to this point.
“Clear evidence that progress has been made and certainly not enough,” Cherington said. “We are winning more games, we are not winning enough. It has to happen better and faster.”
He said he accepts the frustration of not only the fans, but the players, staff, coaches, shareholders with not being in the postseason. He believes playoff baseball is possible in 2025.
They won’t do it with an overwhelming addition to payroll. Cherington said it will increase over the $85.4 million (according to spotrac.com) from this season, but didn’t say how much. The phrase he used and he’s said it before is they have the ‘resources they need to win’.
A former Red Sox GM, Cherington reiterated what he’s said before that in a place like Pittsburgh, total salary isn’t what is going to drive this team to winning. Cherington said it will be a component, but not main factor to better days.
Even six years removed from a winning season and nine from the postseason, the Pirates GM believes free agents are interested in coming here.
“I just haven't felt like any player is resistant to coming to Pittsburgh,” Cherington said. “If players haven't it's just because we got out bid. That happens. But I don't anticipate that being a barrier. I certainly hope and I believe that players will see the potential of this team and how exciting it can be to be a part of this team.”
Cherington will return. He believes in the group. He said he’s not afraid of a challenge.
“I’m confident because I’m fully energized by the job, by the task,” Cherington said. “It’s hard, it’s a hard job. It’s not supposed to be easy, but that’s why we do it. I understand frustration. I understand there are a lot of people out there who care about the Pirates.”
Those people who care aren’t happy. It’s Cherington’s job to make sure by this time next year, they are.