In an episode of his weekly radio show on Sunday, Pittsburgh Pirates' General Manager, Ben Cherington, shouldered the blame for the team's recent 10-game losing streak that dashed their hopes of making it to the postseason. However, Cherington emphasized that this setback has not altered the team's ultimate goal of continued improvement.

Following a remarkable 14-game increase in their win total from the previous season, the Pirates had set their sights on surpassing their performance in 2023, and according to Cherington, that target remains unchanged. "We're putting all of our energy toward that... What we want to accomplish in 2024 is still ahead of us," Cherington expressed during the interview on 93.7 The Fan.

Before the trade deadline on July 30, the Pirates had been sitting at a solid 55-52 record, just two games back in the National League wild card standings. However, after acquiring left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, and infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the team went on to lose 12 of their next 13 games against formidable opponents such as the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cherington acknowledged that the recent slump fell under his responsibility as the team's General Manager. He emphasized the need to continue strategizing and making improvements to ensure a better performance in the future.

Addressing the recent setbacks in player injuries, Cherington also discussed the left knee inflammation that led to the placement of the Pirates' designated hitter, Andrew McCutchen, on the 10-day injured list. Cherington acknowledged the toll that age and years of high-level baseball have taken on McCutchen, stating, "The body is feeling the wear and tear of playing baseball at a very high level for a very long time." However, he expressed hopes of having McCutchen back in the lineup as soon as he has fully recovered.

As a result of McCutchen's injury and shortstop Oneil Cruz's ankle soreness, the Pirates made the decision to recall infielder Alika Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis. This decision was made due to Williams' ability to play shortstop, ensuring flexibility in case Cruz's injury affects his fielding capabilities. Despite the recent setbacks, Cherington expressed optimism about lefty reliever Ryan Borucki's potential return this season and confirmed that rookie right-hander Jared Jones would be given another start at Indianapolis with an increased pitch count before considering his readiness to rejoin the starting rotation.

Furthermore, Cherington addressed the Pittsburgh Pirates' drop in the midseason rankings of Baseball America's farm talent. The team slipped from No. 3 overall in 2022 to 27th this year. Although Cherington acknowledged that there is some significance to these rankings, he also acknowledged their imperfection. He attributed the drop to the graduation of several top prospects like catchers Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, pitchers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, and second baseman Nick Gonzales, who have spent enough time in the major leagues.

While graduating players has had an impact on the rankings, Cherington expressed the team's determination to climb back up. He stated, "Just because we're graduating players, we'd prefer not to drop in rankings." This decline in the rankings serves as fuel for the Pirates to seek consistent improvement.

In conclusion, Ben Cherington, the Pittsburgh Pirates' General Manager, has taken responsibility for the team's recent losing streak. However, Cherington remains steadfast in his commitment to the goal of continual improvement. The Pirates' focus is firmly set on surpassing their accomplishments from the previous season, and despite recent setbacks, Cherington and the team are determined to band together, strategize, and put forth their best effort to achieve their targets in the 2024 season.