Don Kelly's recent comments make it sound like he'll be returning to Pirates

While the totality of the Pittsburgh Pirates' season hasn't gone the way the organization or the fans would've liked, the campaign hasn't been without its bright spots. Paul Skenes continues to do Paul Skenes things. With an .853 OPS in the second half, Spencer Horwitz is looking like he is a real steal. And now a couple of highly-regarded prospects are impressing in their late-season debuts.

That's to say nothing of what's been going on down on the farm, which has been headlined by Konnor Griffin being named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year as he ascends through the minor league ranks at breakneck speed.

All of this has led to manager Don Kelly feeling optimistic about what the future holds for Pittsburgh, including a belief that contention isn't as far off as some might believe for the Pirates.

In speaking about where the Pirates are at and what's next, Kelly had a lot to say, but most telling was his statement, "Where we’re at right now, next year fighting for a playoff spot. Is that a Wild Card? Is that the division? Then, eventually, the ultimate goal is to win the whole thing – which I have not been able to be a part of. I finished second two times. When you talk about playoff baseball, that’s what we play for, that’s what we sacrifice for all the time, to be in that moment, to play in October, where you can’t even walk outside because the media here – in the office it feels a little bit big, but when you get to the World Series, you can’t even get out to the field because there’s so much media on the warning track. That’s what you play baseball for, to experience that and win. That’s what our goal is, to continue to strive for that.”

This all begs the question: will Kelly be around to see it through? By the sound of his comments, it sure seems so.

Don Kelly's optimistic comments about the Pirates' future make it seem like he'll be back in 2026

Don Kelly isn't wrong in believing that there's a chance the Pirates can ascend faster than many might think. If you squint, the bones of a contending team are there. Headlined by an impressive young rotation, if Pittsburgh can make a couple of solid veteran additions to the lineup and the bullpen, as well as get some steps forward from young players and embrace the ascension of some top prospects, it shouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

There are certainly a lot of ifs there, and much of that work will fall on Ben Cherington's plate (assuming he's still around). As for Kelly, should he be the man to stick around to lead the Pirates into the next golden era?

The interim manager has led Pittsburgh to a 57-63 record following the disastrous 12-26 start the club endured under former manager Derek Shelton. The club is flirting with a .500 mark in the season's second half, when competition has heated up across the league. They've played an excellent brand of spoiler, fueled by their pitching prowess, in Cincinnati. Additionally, they own a winning record at home this season at 44-37, with most of that success coming under Kelly.

Based on all of that and the growth seen in some areas this year, the answer should be a resounding yes. By the looks of it, that's the way Kelly sees it as well.