The Pittsburgh Pirates are struggling significantly, sitting in last place and facing a series of public relations setbacks, including the recent firing of manager Derek Shelton. General manager Ben Cherington emphasized that trading ace pitcher Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is not under consideration, despite the team’s performance issues. Pittsburgh is currently 11 games out of playoff contention and ranks at or near the bottom in most offensive categories, demonstrating an alarming inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Despite a recent offensive improvement in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, where the team scored five runs for the first time in 27 games, their season-long inconsistency persists. The Pirates’ starting rotation has pitched well, with solid ERAs from Skenes and others, but the team’s record remains dismal, largely due to a lackluster lineup. Noteworthy players like All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen contribute, yet the overall depth of impactful position players is lacking.
Cherington acknowledges the need for the team to improve run production and remains optimistic about potential positive shifts in performance over the remainder of the season. While the Pirates possess a wealth of pitching prospects, their position-player pool is relatively shallow, with top draft picks still developing. Cherington’s focus is on enhancing gameplay to foster better results, maintaining confidence that Skenes and other young talents will play critical roles in the team’s future. Ultimately, the organization is determined to improve and assess its direction as the season progresses.
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