One day after the Pirates made layoffs within their business operations, they have done the same in baseball operations, laying off around 15 people as part of a restructuring of that department, DK Pittsburgh Sports has confirmed.
The two sets of layoffs affected about 40 people, 25 of which were on the business side.
Those laid off Friday will have their salaries paid through the end of October and receive benefits through the end of the calendar year, so the moves are not necessarily financially motivated. Those affected were informed they will not be part of the organization's plans moving into next year, with the hope they would have more time to find a position with a different club for 2021.
Ben Cherington did not make many changes to his front office or baseball operations upon being hired last November, opting to instead wait and observe the group he inherited. This is the most significant shake-up the Pirates have made to that group since his hiring.
Those on the business side who were laid off this week will have full health-care benefits through at least Oct. 31.
Like all teams, the Pirates have operated without any income during the COVID-19 shutdown. Spring training 2.0 will begin Wednesday, and the regular season will start July 24.
These layoffs are the third set of cuts the Pirates have made during the shutdown. On May 21, the Pirates announced 5- to 25-percent pay reductions among their employees and furloughs within business operations, starting June 1. On April 28, the Pirates suspended some 401(k) contributions to their employees, with some executives taking voluntary pay cuts as well.
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