Pirates GM Ben Cherington on Slow Start, Sending Down Bednar, Similarities Between Canario and an All-Star

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington joined 93.7 The Fan for his weekly radio show prior to Sunday’s first pitch against the New York Yankees.

Among the topics discussed between Cherington and Pirates’ broadcaster Joe Block included the team’s slow start, the decision to option David Bednar and an interesting link between Alexander Canario and a two-time All-Star outfielder.

Pirates Slow Start

The Pirates entered Tuesday’s game with a 2-7 record. The Bucs dropped three out of four against the Miami Marlins to open the year, two out of three against the Tampa Bay Rays and were defeated in the first two games of their series with the Yankees.

“We really respect the length of the season. We know where we are now. Results have not been what we want, clearly. We’re focused and working hard on every aspect of what we can control to make that better.”

While Cherington also addressed some pitching and defensive woes, he dug a bit deeper into the struggles offensively. Through nine games to start the season, the Pirates have yet to score more than four runs in a game.

“Overall, just 1-9 as a lineup, haven’t had that consistent, good at-bat, pass the baton type game…We haven’t clicked yet on that side of the game.”

While there is obvious concern over the Pirates’ sluggish start to the year, Cherington remains confident things will turn around.

“We believe that it will improve with the people we have here, the players we have here, the staff that we have here. Believe that strongly.”

Sending Bednar to Indianapolis

The Pirates sent closing pitcher David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis on Apr. 1 amidst continued struggles out of the bullpen.

Bednar took the loss twice in the opening series of the year in Miami and was charged with three earned runs while recording just three outs across 3.0 innings pitched.

Cherington admitted it was a difficult conversation with Bednar.

“Really just a matter of rather than keep squinting, let’s tackle this head-on with David in full support of David and do the work necessary to not just be on the team and be part of a ‘pen but be what we all know he can be.”

Bednar’s struggles date back to last season when he posted a 5.77 ERA and blew seven of his 30 save chances. It was surprising to see the poor season after back-to-back All-Star nominations in 2022-23.

Last year’s struggles carried into the spring and eventually into the start of the regular season. But Cherington has not given up on the Pittsburgh-native.

“We want to bring him back and have him be exactly what we know he’s capable of being, help us win games. I believe that’s gonna happen.”

Bednar was supposed to pitch for Indianapolis on Saturday but the game was rained out. He will get into games very soon, according to Cherington.

Alexander Canario and Teoscar Hernández Similarities

The Pirates swung a trade at the end of March to land outfielder Alexander Canario from the New York Mets for cash considerations.

Canario has appeared in a pair of games for the Pirates so far and has gone hitless in seven at-bats, but he’s a player they like.

Cherington threw out an interesting name that he sees some similarities to Canario.

“I was in Toronto when we acquired Teoscar Hernández. I’m not comparing one player to the other, but it’s a little bit similar skill package. Teoscar had bumped the big leagues with Houston, had some strikeouts in his game, big power, good athlete, corner outfield defender, just needed more runway…What’s the path for Alexander Canario? Don’t know, but some of those skills are similar.”

Hernández is in his 10th big-league season and has been an All-Star twice and a Silver Slugger recipient three times. The Pirates could use some of that in their lineup.