Cherington: Shelton 'right person to manage' Pirates in 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton has the full support of general manager Ben Cherington, who believes the skipper will continue in the same role next season.

"(Shelton is the) right person to manage this team in 2025," the GM said Wednesday, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Shelton has never had a winning season or made the playoffs during his Pittsburgh tenure, but the club's winning percentage has improved every year he's been on the job. The results earned him a contract extension in April 2023.

However, his teams in recent years have had inconsistent results despite front-office improvements and added payroll.

"I think there's a lot to the job I believe he does really, really well, and I also believe he works his tail off to continue to improve in a number of ways," Cherington said, according to The Associated Press.

Shelton shared his appreciation for Cherington's vote of confidence later Wednesday.

Shelton recently showed frustration with the play of his 2024 squad when he took offence to a reporter's question about using position player Rowdy Tellez as a pitcher for the third time in 12 days. The Pirates were no-hit by the Cubs during that same game.

The 54-year-old Shelton has managed the Pirates since 2020, amassing a 287-404 record.