Pirates Q&A: How Different Will Bucs Look After Deadline? Don Kelly’s Future (+)
Welcome back to another edition of our Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A. Let’s get to your questions.
Is this the last season for Cutch? – Jason Williams
Andrew McCutchen has given no clear indication one way or another if he plans to continue playing or retire following this season.
McCutchen, who turns 39 years old in October, is still a productive player and has been the Pirates’ most consistent hitter this season. In 80 games, he’s compile a .261/.342/.396 batting line with 14 doubles, eight home runs and 31 RBI.
In the past, McCutchen has said he’ll keep playing as long as he doesn’t embarrass himself on the field, and he hasn’t come close to doing that yet.
But there are other factors in play. Yes, McCutchen wants to play for the Pirates, but he wants to win. Pittsburgh hasn’t done much of that since McCutchen returned in 2023. He’s also the father of four children.
Time will tell if 2025 is the last season for McCutchen, but he’s continued to prove he can still be a productive player.
What satisfaction or reward does the current owner of the Pirates get from being the owner? I see that people fly planes over PNC Park with banners saying “Sell the team” and wear shirts with the same message. I can’t imagine that people greet him warmly when he walks down a street in Pittsburgh or comes to the ballpark. – Joel Studebaker
Losing doesn’t seem to impact Bob Nutting. Outside of a three-year stretch from 2013-15, he’s showed no real urgency to build a winner.
The Pirates are spending less in free agency now than they did a decade ago. There seems to be complacency in losing. Ben Cherington returned for a sixth year as general manager despite not having a winning season and finishing in last place in the division each year but one. Derek Shelton was brought back too before Cherington made the decision to fire him.
Nutting’s satisfaction is that he continues to turn a profit and he can call himself something only 29 other people can. Winning doesn’t come first for him.
Will we recognize the pirates after the all Star break? – Lucia Magiacuddy
There’s no question the Pirates will look different after the trade deadline, but I’m not sure anything major happens before the break.
The rentals are the likeliest to go. Andrew Heaney, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Ferguson will all probably be on new teams. Someone could take a flier on Tommy Pham or Adam Frazier too.
The possibility of the Pirates trading Mitch Keller is growing more and more likely. Ke’Bryan Hayes is drawing interest too, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him playing somewhere else in August.
David Bednar and Dennis Santana will be among the most coveted players in trade talks as every contender will be looking to add to the bullpen.
The Pirates, while selling will be the focus, will be looking to add offensive help and could do so in different ways than trading established big-leaguers for prospects.
Many say the manager does not affect the outcome, but Shelton and Kelly show a different story. The team is playing differently under Kelly. Is he signed beyond this year? – Tim Dixon
Even with an awful series in Seattle this weekend, there is no denying the Pirates have played better since Don Kelly took over, and the players have been raving about him.
But at the time Kelly replaced Shelton, the Pirates said he would not have an interim tag. Instead, he was announced as manager for the rest of the 2025 season.
Ultimately, whoever is general manager of the Pirates after this season will decide who the manager is in 2026 and beyond. If Cherington is retained, I’m expecting Kelly to be the guy. If Cherington is fired, the new GM will have their pick, but I would expect Kelly to be in consideration.
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