Mariners managerial search could leave Pirates scrambling for replacement on Don Kelly's staff

The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't expected to make sweeping changes to Don Kelly's coaching staff this offseason. That doesn't necessarily mean the group will remain intact.

Seattle's managerial search could create an unexpected opening on Kelly's staff, with Pirates bench coach Kristopher Negrón reportedly among the names to watch as the Mariners begin looking for Dan Wilson's replacement.

Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported that Seattle's search is expected to begin in earnest this week. After hiring two consecutive managers without previous major-league managerial experience in Scott Servais and Wilson, Jude noted that prior experience could be more of a priority for the Mariners this time.

Still, Negrón made Jude's list of potential candidates, and the connection makes plenty of sense. Negrón spent years in the Mariners organization before Pittsburgh hired him as Kelly's bench coach last offseason. Seattle initially brought him aboard as assistant director of player development in 2019 before he managed Triple-A Tacoma in 2021.

Negrón joined Seattle's major league coaching staff the following year and served as both first-base and third-base coach between 2022 and 2025. He even received a small taste of managing in the majors in 2022, serving as Seattle's acting manager while Servais and bench coach Manny Acta were away from the team after contracting COVID-19.

According to Jude, Negrón has "long been viewed as a coach on the rise in the industry." That could soon become Pittsburgh's problem.

Pirates bench coach Kristopher Negrón among qualified candidates for Mariners open manager role

The Pirates aren't currently expected to make significant changes to Kelly's staff after finishing 82-80, the organization's first winning season since 2018. Kelly himself isn't going anywhere after receiving a contract extension following the 2025 season, and general manager Ben Cherington recently called him "clearly the right person to manage this team."

But losing Negrón would force Pittsburgh to make at least one meaningful adjustment to a staff that appears headed for relative continuity.

The bench coach can be one of a manager's most important sounding boards, particularly for Kelly, who is still relatively early in his own managerial career. Negrón's background in player development, minor-league managing and major-league coaching also gave Pittsburgh someone with experience across several different areas of an organization. Replacing that combination wouldn't necessarily be simple.

There is also an obvious name who could quickly become part of the conversation if the Pirates suddenly need a veteran presence alongside Kelly. Clint Hurdle, who managed Pittsburgh from 2011-19 and led the Pirates to three consecutive postseason appearances, recently said he "always answers my phone when it rings" when asked about the possibility of returning to the organization in some capacity.

Pittsburgh has had interest in adding an experienced voice to Kelly's staff before, which would make that situation worth monitoring if Negrón leaves.

Of course, being mentioned as a potential candidate doesn't mean Negrón will get the Seattle job — or even necessarily interview for it. The Mariners could ultimately prioritize someone with extensive MLB managerial experience, which would seemingly work against him. But his history with the organization makes him more than a random name attached to the opening.

The Pirates entered the offseason looking as though they might have one fewer thing to worry about after finally posting a winning record. Seattle's managerial search could change that quickly.

If the Mariners decide Negrón is ready for the next step, Pittsburgh could suddenly find itself searching for a new No. 2 on Kelly's staff at a time when continuity appeared to be the plan.

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