MLB insider speculates a potential option to fill SF Giants managerial vacancy

The SF Giants began the offseason by dismissing veteran manager Bob Melvin. The focus now turns to finding a replacement. Buster Olney of ESPN speculates that Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty could be an option.

MLB insider speculates a potential option to fill SF Giants managerial vacancy

This will be the Giants' third leadership change in as many years. For an organization that is known for stability, that has not necessarily been the case lately.

When the Giants hired Bob Melvin two seasons ago, there were concerns about Farhan Zaidi's job status. To some extent, that limited the candidate pool. However, it is a bit different with Buster Posey now in charge. Posey is not only the president of baseball operations, but he is also a minority owner, so he will likely get a long leash.

In a lot of ways, this opening should be more appealing than it was two offseasons ago. Aside from the Posey note, the Giants have quickly put together a recognizable core, consisting of Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, Logan Webb, and Jung Hoo Lee.

Not surprisingly, the Giants saw a boost in attendance this year, thanks to a more visible core. If a prospective manager believes in this group, then it should appeal that they are all locked up to long-term deals. In the last 13 months, the Giants have invested over $500 million in Chapman, Adames, and Devers. The ownership group has shown a willingness to spend, even if it cannot spend to address every roster issue.

The Giants will cast a wide net in this managerial search, and quite a few names make sense. The Ryan Flaherty rumor might already have some substance to it. As soon as the Giants' managerial job became open two seasons ago, Buster Olney speculated Bob Melvin as a fit. That turned out to be more than just speculation.

Flaherty was a utility infielder across eight major league seasons, six of which came with the Baltimore Orioles. He hung up his cleats for good after a brief stint with the Cleveland Guardians in 2019, and quickly transitioned to a front office role with the San Diego Padres. Flaherty was tabbed as the Padres' bench coach in 2023 and has been with the Cubs in the same role over the past two seasons.

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