Giants predicted to replace Bob Melvin with 2-time World Series champion, 10-time All-star

Hunter Cookston

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Giants predicted to replace Bob Melvin with 2-time World Series champion, 10-time All-star image

The San Francisco Giants are one of several teams across the league searching for their next manager. The Giants decided to part ways with Bob Melvin, even after picking up his option for next season. A big part of the decision was the disappointing end to the season and not performing  up to the organization’s standards.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team," said Buster Posey, the Giants' president of baseball operations. "The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward."

A leading candidate has significant ties to Posey: Nick Hundley, Posey’s former backup catcher, is believed to be the top option.

“Former MLB catcher Nick Hundley is considered the favorite for the opening with the San Francisco Giants, where his former teammate, Buster Posey, is the president of baseball operations,” reported The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli.

However, another catching option with no managerial experience is Yadier Molina.

“Still, the Molina–Posey connection is substantive. Posey would enter any working relationship with him already confident in his baseball acumen and clubhouse presence. The question is timing. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol survived this round of managerial changes, leaving Molina to wait for the job many assume is his. Would he bypass patience in St. Louis for a chance to lead the Giants — and reunite with a catching contemporary? The answer is probably no. But improbable is not impossible, and Posey’s search could at least raise the question of whether Molina’s first managerial opportunity might come somewhere other than Busch Stadium,” SI’s Jack Johnson wrote.

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While Molina lacks managerial experience, catchers typically possess elite baseball knowledge. Molina is one of the most respected figures in the game, making this a potentially great move for the Giants.

This will be Posey’s first managerial hire, so it’s uncertain which direction he will choose. Molina would certainly be a strong first hire.

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Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.