One of the big questions for the Pittsburgh Pirates next season is whether manager Don Kelly should return.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a lot to look forward to following a tough end to the 2026 season.
Pittsburgh was able to be much more competitive this year, with the team being eliminated from playoff contention in late September. The Pirates ended the year with a record of 82-80 on the season, winning seven of their last 10 games overall.
This team has a solid young core in place, and there could be big things coming to this organization moving forward. Before the All-Star break, the Pirates were competing for a playoff spot in the tough National League wild-card race.
But a slump at the end of July through the middle of August doomed this team, seeing them drop in the standings. However, this group never gave up, continuing to fight over the final part of the regular season.
Pittsburgh saw issues from the starting rotation this year when they were supposed to be a strength of the team. But another year of development could be really good for this entire group.
So, entering a crucial offseason, one of the bigger questions around the team is whether manager Don Kelly should return for the 2027 season. Kelly has been with the team since last season, and he's helped guide them throughout the process.
While the Pirates have missed the postseason, this group has real potential going forward, and Kelly should be the one to see it through. Kelly has become a player's manager, and the guys seem to enjoy playing for him.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has said that Kelly will return for the 2027 season and beyond, showing faith in the manager. Kelly has done well with what he has had to work with, and the Pirates should be in a better position to compete next season.
One area that the Pirates will need to address this winter is a lack of ability to hit left-handed pitching, and it plagued them down the stretch. If the front office can figure out this problem, Pittsburgh could easily be a playoff team next season.
The Pirates haven't made the playoffs since the 2015 season, which is the longest drought by an NL team. But with the guidance and leadership of Kelly, mixed with more growth from the young core, Pittsburgh could break that streak as soon as next season.
The future is very bright for the Pirates, with multiple players speaking about this after the season ended. But it will be up to the front office to add this winter, and if they can. the sky is the limit for this team.
