Noah Hiles: What happens if the Pirates don’t improve? Ben Cherington should hope we don't find out

June 17, 2026 - 22:21

It has been a difficult June for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Manager Don Kelly's squad entered Wednesday with a 5-9 record on the month, a stretch that has exposed the team's lingering flaws. While a few of their recent victories offered a glimmer of hope, the overall product on the field has raised serious questions about the direction of the franchise.

The real concern isn't just a bad month. It is what happens if this team fails to take a meaningful step forward. General Manager Ben Cherington has spent years stockpiling prospects and preaching patience. The fan base has been asked to trust the process, to wait for the young core to mature. But that patience is wearing thin. If the Pirates finish near the bottom of the division again, the narrative shifts from "building" to "stalling."

Cherington should hope we never find out what happens next. A stagnant team would force a difficult reckoning. Would ownership authorize a big free-agent signing to shake things up? Or would they simply blame the injuries and run it back? The answer is likely the latter, which is exactly why the next few weeks are so critical. The Pirates need to show they are not just a collection of promising arms and inconsistent bats. They need to prove they can actually win. If they don't, the question won't be about the players anymore. It will be about the man who built the roster.