SF Giants GM Search Down to Final Few Candidates

Following Farhan Zaidi’s departure, Buster Posey took the reins as the San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations. In his introductory press conference, Posey announced that general manager Pete Putila would resign, paving the way for a new hire. According to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants’ search for Putila’s replacement is gathering steam. Initially, three contenders emerged: Billy Owens, assistant GM of the Oakland Athletics, Jeremy Shelley, the Giants’ own assistant GM, and Bobby Evans, former Giants GM. However, it was clear San Francisco wouldn’t limit themselves to just these names.

As reported by Slusser this week, the list of potential candidates has indeed grown. De Jon Watson, formerly the Washington Nationals’ director of player development and current Houston Astros special adviser, has caught the Giants’ attention. Logan White, a seasoned executive with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, is also in contention. Additionally, Scott Sharp, assistant GM of the Kansas City Royals, is reportedly on the Giants’ radar.

The search is intensifying, and more candidates may surface as the Giants seek the perfect fit to lead their front office under Posey’s guidance. With a mix of internal and external options, the team is taking a thorough approach to find the ideal candidate to shape their baseball operations.

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Slusser shed more light on the potential roles of Bobby Evans and Brian Sabean within the Giants organization. Evans, who served as the Giants GM from 2015-18, may not be in contention to reclaim his old job. Instead, the Giants might consider him a for a front-office adivsory position. Meanwhile, Slusser suggests that three-time World Series champion, would be welcomed back to the Giants in an advisory capacity. However, it remains to be seen whether Sabean would leave his current role with the New York Yankees to return to San Francisco.

Potential Candidates for the GM Job

If San Francisco looks beyond the aforementioned names, other potential candidates could emerge.

Kim Ng

The trailblazing former Miami Marlins GM could be an intriguing candidate for the vacant position. Ng made history as the first women to hold the role in MLB, boasting an impressive resume with stints as assistant GM for the Yankees and Dodgers. The Giants did consider Ng in 2018, but she ultimately landed with the Marlins, who steered them to a postseason berth. However, her departure from Miami last offseason hints that San Francisco might not be the ideal fit this time around.

Ng left the Marlins reportedly due to the team’s plans to hire a president of baseball operations above her. It’s the same setup the Giants have now established under Posey. The dynamic may give Ng second thoughts, considering her past experience.

Amiel Sawdaye

The Giants quest for a new GM has sparked reflection on their organizational strategy. Initially, the Giants aimed to emulate the Dodgers success by hiring Zaidi. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks rebuild might serve as a more suitable model. Sawdaye, Arizona’s assistant GM, played a pivtoal role in revitalizinig the Diamomdbacks farm system and orchesting savvy trades. His expertise helped Arizona reach the World Series last season. Sawdaye’s impressive background includes 15 seasons with the Boston Red Sox before joining the Diamondbacks in 2016. In Arizona, Sawdaye oversees amateur and international scouting, leverging his skills to identiy top talent.

Notably, the Giants interviewed Sawdaye for the GM position in 2018. His experience and success make him an attractive candidate to fill that role.

Carlos Rodriguez

In 2018, the Giants ownership group cited the Tampa Bay Rays as a model for their organization overhaul. They narrowly missed hiring Chaim Bloom from Tampa Bay, choosing Zaidi instead. Zaidi later interviewed Rays coach Matt Quatraro before appointing Gabe Kapler as manager. Another Rays executive could emerge as a potential fit. Rodriguez, the Rays’ assistant GM and vice president of baseball operations, boasts an impressive background aligning with Posey’s vision.

With over a decade of experience in the Rays organization, Rodriguez has honed his expertise through various roles, including stints as an area scout for the Toronto Blue Jays and international scout for the Rays. He also served as the director of Latin American scouting and director of interational scouting, giving him a comprehensive understanding of scouting, player development and baseball operations.

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