Tag Archives: Ben Cherington

The first thing to say about PiratesFest which took place yesterday 1/6/2024 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center is really that is was a success. We all can nitpick, but by in large, everyone seemed to find something that got them going. My friends with kids, well, they didn’t like standing in line, but once the line was through, the players, coaches and staff made the kids feel special.

I submitted questions I think are completely fair, and here’s hoping they answer some of them, at the end of the day, I want answers, not gotchas anyway.

I think it’s fair to say, the phrase “the Pirates need 2-3 starters, maybe 4” has taken root. Optimists, pessimists, and even team officials have acknowledged this need, so it’s not like saying it is controversial, but it’s also projected the impression that the Pirates simply have nothing but gray faces for whatever they don’t fill.

Thing is, at least a big part of the story of this build under this GM is the very absence of a solitary mention of a window, or ramp up, or competitive zone, none of that. They’ve been careful to never let anyone know what exactly they planned on as the end game here.

Both of these guys when reaching Arb 2 were undisputed leaders of their position groups. Both were considered “stars”. Both were not scheduled to head out the door as a free agent in the following year.