When a team struggles, changes often follow. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, a dismal start to the 2025 season saw major leadership changes. Yet, amid management’s calls for a fresh spark, a seasoned voice stood out in the noise. Andrew McCutchen had a down-to-earth perspective on where improvement must originate. His comments challenge the notion that a new manager alone cannot fix deep-seated problems. And this raises questions about accountability within the struggling franchise.

The news broke on Thursday, May 8, 2025: The Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton. Former longtime bench coach Don Kelly took over for the remainder of the season. Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting said the change was necessary. “The first quarter of the season has been frustrating and painful for all of us,” Nutting stated. “We have to do better.” He stressed a “sense of urgency” to “fix this now.” GM Ben Cherington termed it “difficult but necessary” to “salvage a season.”

Speaking of the new manager, longtime Pittsburgh favorite Andrew McCutchen had a sobering reality check. “He’s going to do his part. He’s going to do his job,” McCutchen said of Don Kelly. But, he added, “Obviously, it’s not like we’re trying to lean on him to help us. He can’t help us in a way where it gets us to perform on the field. We have to help ourselves in that aspect.”

McCutchen clearly believes that the responsibility of winning falls mainly on the players.

Talented rookie Paul Skenes echoed this sentiment of player accountability more bluntly. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t shocked,” Skenes admitted, referencing the team’s dreadful 12-26 record and the firing of Shelton. “Someone’s got to be held accountable… but I don’t know that it fixes the root of the issue, which is we need to play better.” Skenes emphasized the team’s need for development, stating, “If nothing else, we better grow, because if we don’t grow then it’s a completely lost season.” And his realistic comments underscore the challenge ahead.

But is it just the players?

Unpacking the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organizational woes

The Pirates’ issues are deeper than who’s in the dugout leading them; their numbers show it. Offensively, they ranked near the bottom of MLB: 27th in team batting average (.218), 30th in runs scored (121), and 27th in home runs (28) by early May. Their defense ranked in the middle of the pack with 26 errors (14th in MLB). These stats all tell the story of a team that is struggling to compete, making any manager’s job incredibly difficult.

Pitching provided no great relief, either, with a team ERA of 4.25 (22nd) and a WHIP of 1.27 (15th). Compounding these issues is the Pirates’ perennially low payroll, ranking 26th in 2025. This financial restriction makes recruiting potential talent extremely difficult. And it doesn’t end there…

Key players like Enmanuel Valdez, Jared Jones, Nick Gonzales, Spencer Horwitz, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were all on the injured list. All of these indicate systemic challenges beyond one manager’s control.

Many experts argue that managerial shake-ups in such cases often treat symptoms, not the cause. MLB Network Radio analyst Chris Gimenez stated, “This is not on Derek Shelton. To me, this is on ownership and maybe even the front office… When you don’t spend any money, you can’t expect yourself to be in playoff contention.”

In fact, fan frustration has gotten to the point where they chanted “SELL! THE! TEAM!” at PNC Park.

However, mid-season managerial changes can sometimes provide a much-needed jolt. The 2022 Philadelphia Phillies, for example, surged to the World Series after replacing Joe Girardi. Similarly, the 2003 Florida Marlins won the championship after a mid-season managerial swap. While these examples often involve teams with more underlying talent, they offer a shimmer of hope that a new voice can, at times, unlock potential or change a team’s trajectory.

No matter what, the Pirates have a difficult road ahead. And Kelly began his term with a win, a 3-2 triumph over the Braves that broke their seven-game losing streak. This win brought a “different feel” to the clubhouse. However, as Andrew McCutchen wisely noted, it will take the players to play better to have continued success.

The question remains, though: Can this managerial change truly be the “wake-up call” the Pirates need, or are deeper organizational shifts required for long-term improvement?