Ben Cherington's unfathomable trade deadline should conclude his tenure as Pirates GM

Apr 19, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington observes batting practice before the game against the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesThe Pittsburgh Pirates were above .500 and in the playoff hunt approaching the 2024 trade deadline. The team's measly attempt to masquerade as deadline buyers (bulking up the lineup with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Bryan De La Cruz and shoring up the bullpen with Jalen Beeks) marked the beginning of a second-half collapse that saw the Pirates match their 2023 win total. General manager Ben Cherington caught plenty of heat for how he handled that trade deadline.

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