2018 Could Determine Bruce Bochy’s Future with San Francisco Giants

One way or another, the 2018 season could determine the future of Bruce Bochy with the San Francisco Giants as the manager enters a crucial year.

Let me be very clear from the beginning — I love Bruce Bochy and want him here as long as he wants to be here.

But if we’re being realistic, the 62-year-old Bochy isn’t going to coach the Giants forever. And there is a chance his message has become stale in the clubhouse.

The San Francisco Giants entered the 2017 season with high expectations. They suffered several key injuries that are outside of Bochy’s control, but they still weren’t as bad as they played — you have to put some of that on the manager.

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I heard Bochy say in an interview earlier this offseason that he’ll continue to coach as long as he enjoys coaching.

But the question is how much longer will he coach for the Giants?

In all honesty, as much as I love Bochy, if this team finishes in last place in the National League West again there is a good chance Bochy and the Giants part ways. It won’t be a traditional firing, I think he will ‘step down’ on his own (but forced out behind the scenes).

The reason I believe that is possible is because if the Giants flop again the front office has to consider a rebuild, and there is no point in Bochy waiting around for a rebuild.

Of course the other possibility is that the Giants compete for a playoff spot this year and Bochy hangs around a while longer.

At most I think Bochy coaches for eight more years.

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The point I’m trying to get at though, is that I think he’s only the Giants manager for as long as this core group is around and competitive. As soon as this core group moves on, or if the current process fails, I think Bochy is gone.