Perrotto: Things Will Change for Derek Shelton in 2023 (+)
People ask the question all the time: Do you think Derek Shelton is a good manager?
My answer is always the same: I don’t really know.
Shelton’s record says no. The Pittsburgh Pirates have gone 142-242 – exactly 100 games under .500 – in his three seasons on the job and finished last in the National League Central each year.
However, it is quite unfair to evaluate Shelton based on his record.
For starters, Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington also inherited a last-place team when they took over prior to the 2020 season. Things had developed into chaos in 2019, the last season of the Neal Huntington-Clint Hurdle GM/manager tandem.
The 2020 season was bastardized because of the pandemic and the Pirates went just 19-41. It was such a screwy year that it was hard to take seriously.
Cherington then began the Pirates’ rebuilding project in earnest in 2021 and the Pirates had a 61-101 record. They followed by going 62-100 last season.
Shelton had some of the weakest rosters in the major leagues each season. It is hard to imagine anyone having a much better record considering the dearth of talent.
The Pirates, though, will enter the 2023 season with expectations. Not great expectations, mind you, but expectations.
A busy winter by Cherington has added some legitimate talent to the roster. The Pirates should not be the punching bag of opposing broadcasters around the major leagues anymore.
The Pittsburgh Pirates also shouldn’t lost 100 games for a third straight year.
Outfielder Andrew McCutchen was added through free agency along with left-hander Rich Hill, right-hander Vince Velasquez, lefty reliever Jarlin Garica, catcher Austin Hedges and designated hitter Carlos Santana. The Pirates also traded for first baseman Ji-Man Choi and first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe.
“I think we’re going to be better,” Shelton said. “That’s the step forward we needed to make. Some of it came with the lumps we had to take by giving guys opportunities. Now, I think the thing that really stands out going into spring training — and one of the spring training messages — is there’s competition now.
“When you sign veteran players, you know they’re going to play. You know they’re going to be on the club. For the young guys who got this opportunity, now there’s competition. There are guys at those spots, then there’s competition amongst that young group, which I think is really important for us.”
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Having options is a good thing for any manager and Shelton is certainly appreciative.
Shelton will also have to adjust his managerial style. The focus will now be more on how he utilizes the talent on the roster instead of how he develops it.
During his first three seasons, Derek Shelton has drawn high marks from his players on his communication skills. He believes those will translate from a young team to one with more experience.
“Where before, with younger players, it’s a little more poignant in terms of how you talk to them,” Shelton said. “Now with veteran players, there’s gonna be more feedback of, ‘Hey, we need to do this, this and this.’ Or, ‘Have you thought about this?’ It’s communication, but it’s just a different kind of communication.”
Until now, the only way Shelton could really be evaluated was by the effort of his players. Despite all the losses, the Pirates have never quit on Shelton. They’ve been done in by a lack of talent and experience but not a lack of hustle.
It stands to reason owner Bob Nutting and Cherington are going to expect more wins this season from Shelton, though. Better players should mean better results.
And by the time October rolls around, we should finally have a clearer answer to that oft-asked question: Is Derek Shelton a good manager?
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