The Pirates won’t conduct a search for a manager, general manager or team president this offseason. But it sure better be a transformative set of months.

That was my biggest takeaway after learning Monday that Ben Cherington and Travis Williams will return. I never doubted the retention of Don Kelly — and it’s deserved.

But the rest is a thorny subject with Pirates fans, and they have every right to be mad. Stagnating with 76 wins in 2024, then regressing by five this season and making either late decisions (Derek Shelton) or none at all, it’s hard to blame people for feeling upset or confused.

“Our belief and expectation is that this team is a lot closer than our performance and record would suggest,” Williams said. “Our goal is to win in ’26 and make the playoffs. Period, full stop.”

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