Controversial member of Bob Melvin's coaching staff to remain with SF Giants

The SF Giants are shaking up their coaching staff after hiring Tony Vitello as their new manager. They have already lost pitching coach J.P. Martinez, but it seems they are going to retain hitting coach Pat Burrell in some capacity.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported this on social media, writing: "Pat Burrell tells me he is staying with the Giants org. He’s not sure the role yet and has yet to talk to Tony Vitello but he’s looking forward to whatever opportunity presents itself. He’s such a positive presence, he seems to be someone who’d click really well with Vitello."

SF Giants to retain Pat Burrell in some capacity

We will have to wait and see what position Burrell takes with the Giants. He was somewhat controversial during his time as a hitting coach given how poor San Francisco's offense was at times last season, but any hitting coach is going to feel pressure if a team fails to deliver.

Maybe if Burrell is not kept on the coaching staff he could return to his roots as a scout which is a role that he took on in the Giants organization after his playing days were done.

Burrell will always be a Giants great for the role he played on the team in 2010. After joining the Giants that season he slashed .266/.364/.509 with 18 home runs and 51 runs batted in which was instrumental in helping the Giants win the National League West. He did not hit as well in the playoffs, but the Giants probably do not win a World Series that year without Burrell.

He grew up in the Bay Area so it is nice that he has remained involved with his local team for so long even after he retired. He served as a roving hitting instructor in the organization before being hired as a big league hitting coach when Bob Melvin was hired.

Vitello is still filling out his staff and the only name we know for sure that will be part of his group of coaches is Jayce Tingler. The two know each other from their days playing college baseball together at the University of Missouri and Tingler brings experience as a former big league manager for the San Diego Padres and most recently he was a bench coach for the Minnesota Twins.

We will see if whoever the Giants hire as their hitting coach will also have connections to Vitello or if the team will hire someone fresh. Fans upset with San Francisco's streaky offense likely do not want to see Burrell reprise his role, but perhaps he can provide value in another role with the organization.