When an MLB team struggles over an extended period, the front office tends to fire its manager to show the public it has a desire to improve. In other words, the manager is made the scapegoat.
Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager and former Twins bench coach Derek Shelton
After a 12-26 start to the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton, who was the Twins’ bench coach from 2018 through 2019. Bench coach Don Kelly was named the Pirates’ interim manager as a replacement for Shelton.
Shelton joined the Pirates as manager in 2020 after experiencing the Twins’ 2019 ‘Bomba Squad’ season on Rocco Baldelli’s coaching staff. Shelton had a record of 306-440 (.410) as the Pirates’ skipper.
Shelton suffered back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2021 and 2022 before leading his team to 76-86 records the following two years. His firing came only 38 games into this season, signifying the Pirates want to make a turnaround as soon as possible.
But if the Pirates want to make any real change, they must do more than just cut ties with their manager. They probably do not have high hopes of making a postseason run this season, but with such a prolonged period of poor play, they likely have their sights set on a playoff run sooner rather than later. The team hasn’t made the postseason since 2015, when they lost the NL Wild Card Game to the Chicago Cubs.
The Pirates have potential. They arguably have the best starting pitcher in the league, Paul Skenes. Oneil Cruz has looked like an All-Star this season as a center fielder. Four of their prospects are ranked in the top 100 per MLB Pipeline. However, the rest of the team has looked downright awful this year, ranking 28th out of 30 teams in OPS (.625) and 22nd in ERA (4.31).
Twins set to face San Francisco Giants on Saturday
Game 2 of the series between the Giants and Twins is scheduled to commence at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday. Two of the top arms in the game will square off, as Joe Ryan is slated to start on the mound for Minnesota, and Logan Webb is scheduled to start for San Francisco.