SF Giants broadcaster will still call games even with new front office role

The SF Giants made some news recently by hiring former reliever Javier López to a role in the front office. However, this new role will not mean that López will be departing Giants broadcasts going forward.

Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reported on López's new role, writing: "Another former Posey teammate does have an increased role, though. Former Giants reliever Javier López has been added to the front office in an advisory role."

SF Giants will not lose Javier López from broadcast booth after new front office role

Lopez appeared on the Splash Hit Territory podcast hosted by F.P. Santangelo and discussed his new role: "Well, I'm going to just be an advisor to baseball operations. And we're kind of just, there's no real specific to it as of yet. I think if anything, I'm lending just pitchers' eyes to maybe a couple guys that, you know, they're so good at being able to look at all the numbers and everything else. But sometimes you just need a practical set of eyes to get on there. So I think that'll be my initial foray into the front office world. But I'm going to try to bounce around a little bit and see where things might land.”

Santangelo asked if López will remain in the broadcast booth and López said: "That's the plan right now. We're still trying to go through that. Again, it's trying to figure out what the time frame is going to look like, what the Giants are looking for for me in that front office role.”

These sort of front office advisor roles seem fairly fluid and ill-defined, so it makes sense that López would be able to serve in that role while still appearing on Giants broadcasts.

López has been part of San Francisco's broadcast team for a number of years, often calling games as the color commentator when Mike Krukow is unable to travel due to his health issues. López has definitely gained his own voice over the years and provides a fresh perspective on the game. It would not be a huge surprise if he took on a more full-time broadcast role when Krukow and Duane Kuiper decide to retire although that is a sad day to think about.

López, along with Giants legend Ryan Vogelsong, was thought of as a potential candidate for the pitching coach role after J.P. Martinez left for the Atlanta Braves. However, it seems like López is not keen on becoming a coach at this time given his family situation. Ultimately, the Giants decided to go with some fresh voices.

Still, it will be nice to hear López's voice on broadcasts while he can simultaneously lend his experience and extensive knowledge to the front office going forward.