SF Giants manager Tony Vitello offers an update on the coaching staff

In his introductory press conference, new SF Giants manager Tony Vitello covered a number of topics about his experience, approach, and plans. He was asked about the coaching staff (around the 32-minute mark), and offered an update, but not one with much substance.

SF Giants manager Tony Vitello offers an update on the coaching staff

Vitello indicates that conversations about his new staff have already taken place. Understandably, he does not have any new hires to bring with him yet.

The new Giants manager did express a willingness to retain coaches from the previous regime. It is not all that unusual for incoming managers to keep a coach or two holdover coaches.

At the beginning of his search for a new manager, Buster Posey conveyed that any holdover coaches are free to pursue other opportunities. He did indicate that the front office would make recommendations for the new manager, but ultimately, rounding out the coaching staff will be up to the manager.

Pitching coach J.P. Martinez, bullpen coach Garvin Alston, and first base coach Mark Hallberg all seem like candidates to be retained. After another disappointing year offensively, the Giants could look to remake the hitting side of the coaching staff. That unit has been led by Pat Burrell for the past two seasons.

Third base coach Matt Williams and bench coach Ryan Christenson will not return. They had been with Bob Melvin through three major league stops, including the Oakland A’s, San Diego Padres, and Giants. Both coaches departed almost as soon as San Francisco parted ways with Melvin.

While last year’s coaching staff had a lot of experienced coaches, it was light on impact. There were too many recurring baserunning and defensive issues that were seemingly never corrected. If the Giants want coaches who are obsessive about the details, they will need to bring in some fresh voices.

When a new manager takes over, there are usually sweeping changes to the coaching staff. It is tough to blend some holdovers from a previous regime with a new coaching staff.

Tony Vitello conveyed that he wants coaches who are all on the same page. The baseball season is a grind, so cohesion seems to be paramount with any prospective coaches.

While Vitello is light on managing experience at the pro level, it might behoove him to bring in an experienced bench coach. Minnesota Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler has been speculated as a target.