Pirates fans want GM Ben Cherington fired despite team giving Don Kelly a contract extension

Glenn Kaplan

Pirates fans want GM Ben Cherington fired despite team giving Don Kelly a contract extension image

Charles LeClare

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making moves within its organization a day after the 2025 MLB regular season ended. Despite finishing with a 71-91 overall record in 2025, the Pirates decided to give manager Don Kelly a contract extension.

Kelly replaced Derek Shelton as manager during the middle of the 2025 season. He managed his first game on May 9. They had a 59-65 overall record under him. The Pirates showed progress even though they finished under .500. This is the first domino to fall for them this offseason. Will there be other dominoes that potentially fall this offseason?

Pittsburgh Pirates Fans Want General Manager Ben Cherington Fired Despite Don Kelly Extension

Ben Cherington has been the general manager since November 18, 2019. When Pirates fans found out that Kelly was getting extended, there were a lot of fans that were displeased that Cherington is still the general manager for this baseball team.

 

It is understandable why Pirates fans want Cherington fired because he doesn't spend enough money in free agency or trades. With that being said, Pittsburgh is probably hanging onto him because of his development with the farm system.

Starting pitcher Paul Skenes has been a success in the MLB so far. Number one overall prospect shortstop Konnor Griffin will be in the majors sometime next season or the year after. If they continue to get talent into the system, this team will be good sooner rather than later. Pittsburgh has to be proactive this offseason.

They have not been to the playoffs since the 2015 MLB season. Pirates' fans are yearning to see this team make the playoffs again and be a contender. With this organization potentially keeping Cherington around another year, Pittsburgh fans will not like it, but he has to spend money this offseason.

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Glenn Kaplan

Glenn Kaplan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has experience covering the MLB, college football, college basketball, NBA, NHL and NFL, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his work. Glenn has contributed to outlets including FanSided, Wisconsin Sports Heroics, Gridiron Heroics and Pro Football Network, and began his career with Towson University’s student newspaper.