Ben Cherington Confirms His Continuity as Pirates General Manager
PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has confirmed his plans to continue in the role for the 2026 season, despite the team’s unfavorable results during his six years of management. Cherington stated on Saturday that both Pirates owner Bob Nutting and team president Travis Williams have not expressed any intention of removing him.Cherington’s contract has not been publicly disclosed by the Pirates, but it is presumed that he has an agreement that extends until 2026 or 2027. The Pirates, with a record of 65-89 before Saturday night’s game, had already secured their second consecutive finish in last place in the National League Central Division. In the last 33 years, the team has accumulated 29 losing seasons. Cherington also praised manager Don Kelly, who was promoted from bench coach after Derek Shelton was fired on May 8. The Pirates had a 12-26 record when Kelly took over. Kelly’s contract expires at the end of the season.“We talk constantly. I haven’t heard anything to the contrary,” Cherington said before the Pirates’ game against the Athletics. “I don’t know if any of us… ever have full certainty of anything, but I want to help the Pirates win more games. That’s it. I don’t do this job for the job itself. I do it because I want to be a part of making this work.”
Ben Cherington, Pirates General Manager
“My opinion of the work Donnie has done is that I am not surprised,” Cherington said. “I was confident when he took over in May that he would do a very good job. He is an excellent communicator. He is tenacious in his approach to the job. He has great confidence in himself. He believes in people.”
Ben Cherington, General Manager of the Pirates
