San Francisco Giants Name Gabe Kapler As New Manager
The San Francisco Giants have named Gabe Kapler as their new manager. This hiring comes on the heels of the Giants hiring Scott Harris as their new General Manager. Kapler was fired just after the season ended by the Philadelphia Phillies after two seasons with a 161-163 record.
Gabe Kapler is indeed the new Gisnts manager
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 13, 2019
Farhan’s Favorite
It has been said for the last few weeks that Kapler was the guy that Giants President Farhan Zaidi wanted all along. Zaidi was familiar with Kapler from their time in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Once Kapler became available Zaidi targeted him.
Kapler was Farhan Zaidi’s favorite all along, and in recent days it appeared he was going to get the nod over Joe Espada. Giants just seemed more focused on answering all the questions on Kapler
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 13, 2019
Unpopular Choice
The Giants knew this decision was not going to be popular with their fan base. This is considered the reason why the Giants took so long in announcing this hire. Zaidi got the man he wanted all along despite Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada interviewing well.
Espada who also had a great interview with the Chicago Cubs is considered very close to becoming a manager.
Giants people understood Kapler was going to be an unpopular choice, and that’s likely part of the reason it took this long … but this may be a bit strong. https://t.co/edJmQO0ffq
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 13, 2019
Welcome Back Kapler
For Gabe Kapler, he gets a second chance at managing immediately after his firing in Philadelphia. The Phillies spent a lot of money this past offseason and entrusted Kapler to lead the team into the playoffs. But how much was Kapler’s fault?
With all the new players the Phillies brought in plus the big catch of Bryce Harper, Kapler only improved one game from his rookie season. The Phillies had to deal with injuries to key players and a huge regression from the starting pitching. Aaron Nola took a big step back from his big 2018 season.
In addition, the bullpen was a mess after closer David Robertson got injured and was lost for the season. So if you looked from afar you can make the argument Kapler did a good job keeping the Phillies in contention.
The National League East was one of the best divisions in all of baseball. With three teams over .500, two of which won over 90 games and oh yes the World Series Champion came from the NL East who would argue that point. The NL East was the only division to have four teams .500 or better.
Gabe Kapler is a smart guy and perhaps he learned from Philadelphia. Folks talk about the unusual stuff (coconut oil etc.) But his failing in Philly was more basic. He didn’t get players to play to their capability. Beyond Bryce, JT and 1/2 others his players underperformed.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 13, 2019
Giants Outlook
Kapler and the Giants really have their work cut out for them. The Dodgers have won seven straight division titles and show no signs of slowing down. The Giants finished last season with a 77-85 record and a robust 29 games behind the Dodgers.
There are some big decisions for the Giants to make. Their two biggest assets are free agents. It feels like ace pitcher Madison Bumgarner has been there forever but he is still only 29 years old. Re-signing him remains the team’s top priority. The same can be said for their 29-year-old closer, Will Smith.
The Giants roster is made up of mostly older players over thirty years old. Players such as Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Evan Longoria, and fan-favorite Buster Posey. The Giants could deal off their veteran players and start a hard rebuild.
The Giants can perhaps rebuild the team around 24-year-old second basemen Mauricio Dubon and 28-year-old left fielder Mike Yastrzemski. Whatever the Giants decide to do their offseason already got off to a controversial start with the hiring of Kapler.
