Pirates manager Derek Shelton getting to know organization at winter meetings

SAN DIEGO — Derek Shelton knew who he wanted to go to for advice.

Soon after Shelton was hired as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ manager two weeks ago, he got in touch with Jim Leyland. Though Shelton only knew Leyland in passing, he thought the former Pirates manager was the perfect person to learn from when it came to making connections with the people of Western Pennsylvania.

Shelton and Leyland had breakfast together prior to Shelton being introduced as the manager last week at PNC Park following the Thanksgiving weekend.

Like Shelton, Leyland never managed in the major leagues when he was hired following the 1985 season to replace Chuck Tanner. Shelton would love to replicate Leyland’s stint with the Pirates — managing 11 seasons and winning three division titles.

However, what really stood out about Leyland to Shelton is how he became a Pittsburgher. Leyland still lives in the area 34 years after joining the Pirates.

What was the best advice Leyland provided?

“I think the biggest thing was be yourself,” Shelton said Wednesday during the Winter Meetings at the Manchester Hyatt. “Be who you are. Don’t try to be anything you’re not. Don’t try to portray yourself.

“I think it was as much he was giving me advice about the press conference. You see press conferences, and people try to be something, and he’s like: Be yourself. So that’s probably the best.”

Shelton hasn’t had much time to spend with the fans yet. Considering he was hired nearly two months after the season ended, he is still trying in the process of getting to know people within the Pirates’ organization.

That is why these four days of meetings, which end Thursday, have been meaningful for Shelton.

“I think anytime you can get everybody together, especially for a new group — Ben and I are still getting to know the roster and getting to know the inner workings of people,” Shelton said, referring to general manager Ben Cherington. “So, to be able to not only sit in a suite with them but also to go to dinner and have some social time with them, it’s really nice.”

Shelton has spent plenty of time on the phone talking with the players. However, he is also still deep into the process of learning about the talent on the roster and the strengths and weaknesses of his new team.

“That why the Winter Meetings are so important because we’re still learning our roster,” Shelton said. “Being able to sit in a room with some of our scouts and some of our people in informatics that understand that information and are able to break it down, you can have questions of why did this guy do this or why did this guy not do that? So, it’s been important.”

Notes: Cherington said the Pirates would like to fill their pitching coach vacancy “sooner rather than later.” … The Pirates are set to pick seventh in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning, but Cherington said he is unsure if they will select a player. … The Pirates are leaning toward not holding their annual early January minicamp in Bradenton, Fla., this offseason. … Former Pirates right-hander Josh Lindblom was here to meet with teams. There is a small-scale bidding war for him after Lindblom spent the past two seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization, compiling a 35-7 record and 2.66 ERA in 56 starts. He made four relief appearances for the Pirates in 2017.