As President of Baseball Operations for the Giants Buster Posey John Shea of the San Francisco Standard conducted his first managerial search, reporting that he had conversations with an interesting name: former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Shea did not clarify whether the conversation was part of Posey’s search for a new manager or whether there was a clear interest in Hyde succeeding Bob Melvin in San Francisco, but the conversation between the two was nonetheless noteworthy.
After all, Hyde makes a lot of sense as the Giants’ head coach. Like Melvin before him, Hyde is a Bay Area native who has successfully managed a small-market team in the past. Ignoring that, Hyde played just one game as head coach of the Marlins in 2011, and Hyde’s time as head coach was spent entirely in Baltimore. He took the helm from 2019 until he was fired in May, leading the club through a lengthy rebuild in the process, exceeding all expectations in the 2022 season and leading to 101 wins for Baltimore in 2023 and an American League Coach of the Year award.
Hyde’s 421-492 record with the Orioles left a lot to be desired, but it must be viewed through the lens of a club that had no intention of playing in the organization during his first three seasons with the organization. The Orioles’ early-season disaster this year under Hyde is an undeniable flaw that can’t be forgiven as a test for managing a rebuilding club, but he’s still respected in the game. Former Rockies manager Bud Black told USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale last month that he believes Hyde will coach again “soon,” Hyde told Nightengale that he does hope to return to coaching as soon as possible next season. Maybe that opportunity could come with his hometown team, the Giants.
Of course, while there’s a legitimate fit between Hyde and the Giants, that doesn’t mean he’ll be hired or even necessarily interviewed for the position. Shea pointed out that Rangers special assistant (and former Giants catcher) Nick Hendry yes “Quickly becoming a popular choice” Taking over for Melvin and emphasizing his strong relationship with Posey, whom he served as his backup as a player in San Francisco. Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic took a step forward, reporting that Hundley “Considered a favorite” San Francisco job, then added that aside from the Giants’ vacancy, he’s not believed to be considering any managerial opportunities. Hundley has been a prominent candidate for the position for some time and has been interviewed for the position, but the fact that he is considered the favorite is new information. former all star catcher Kurt Suzuki Guardians assistant manager Craig Albernaz is also understood to be a candidate for the position in San Francisco.
