Tag: Farhan Zaidi

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Kapler!~ -Kai Correa named SF interim manager; Giants dismiss Kapler as manager with three games left in the season

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The San Francisco Giants named Kai Correa as interim manager after firing Gabe Kapler on Thu Sep 29, 2023 (file photo USA Today)

Adiós Kapler!~ -Giants dismiss manager with three games left in the season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–Gabe Kapler was never that popular when the Giants first signed him in 2020 and today became the first Giants manager to be fired since in September of 1995 when Jim Davenport was fired and replaced by Roger Craig.

In 2021 the Giants overachieved and won 107 games, and Gabe Kapler won the NL Manager of the Year. After two years as skipper of the Philadelphia Phillies, 2023 was the fourth season for Kapler.

Soon after noon on September 29, the San Francisco Giants released this statement: “He has been dedicated and passionate in his efforts to improve the on-field performance of the San Francisco Giants and I have tremendous respect for him as a colleague and friend” said team president Farhan Zaidi. Kapler’s first season with San Francisco was the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign”

Names already rumored to be possible candidates for Giants manager in 2024, Menlo Park native and three-time Manager of the Year Bob Melvin, ending his first season as manager of the San Diego Padres, also Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay. But it is “too early” to tell.

Meanwhile, Giants veteran shortstop and three-time World Champion Brandon Crawford 36, said he likes to retire as a Giant, but he still contemplating his future and was not ready to commit to anything just yet. Crawford made the statement just a few days ago, on September 21. About the speculation if he is going to play his last game as a Giant and retire this next Sunday when the team closes the season against the LA Dodgers, he said: “I don’t have an answer, but there’s been plenty of thoughts”.

San Francisco closes the season at home this weekend with a three-game series against the Western Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Loss in Giants clubhouse and post season could spell Zaidi and Kapler’s demise; Could Wotus be next in line for manager’s job?

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San Francisco Giants special assistant and former third base coach Ron Wotus could possibly be in line for the Giants manager job. (AP file photo)

By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi was asked by the Giants flagship station KNBR on Thursday did he see manager Gabe Kapler returning next season. Zaidi gave a non answer saying he appreciated that Giants owner Greg Johnson gave assurances that both Kapler and Zaidi would be returning for the 2024 season.

Zaidi talked about Kapler losing the clubhouse saying culturally when things are going right this group loves being together, they’re having fun. “But when you’re not doing well those things can be seen in a negative light,” he said.

On Monday night the Giants returned to Oracle Park taking on the San Diego Padres in a three game series. San Francisco pitcher Logan Webb had a sound outing winning 2-1. Instead of patting himself on the back for a fine outing when it was mentioned that he could be a NL Cy Young Award winner Webb gave credit to his opposing pitcher the Padres Blake Snell. He said that Snell should be the Cy Young Award winner and that he pitched a fine game.

Webb added that it’s not fun anymore. He said that the joy and fun just isn’t there right now. The Giants on Wednesday night lost after going into the top of the tenth inning with a 2-2 tie but saw three runs score for San Diego on a throwing error allowing a run and a two RBI base hit. There seems to be some malcontent in the locker room.

It was the quickest exit by the fans after the Padres scored the last two runs that had been seen at Oracle Park in a long time. The culture that Zaidi was talking about is just about all but gone. The Giants at one time had a shot at getting a Wild Card spot but went 2-8 on the previous road trip losing two out of three in Colorado, swept in two games in Arizona, and losing three out of four in Los Angeles.

The Giants really needed those wins on that road trip but it got away from them. The clubhouse after that road trip was strained at best. Kapler was stoic when answering questions at his post game meeting with the press after Wednesday night’s loss to the Padres.

When the Giants bombed on that last road trip Webb spoke up about the clubhouse mood. Then they lost two out of three to the Padres at Oracle and that mood was even more strained than on this last road trip. Johnson who seemed to be assured that Zaidi and Kapler would be back next season puts that statement in doubt.

Ironically special assistant coach Ron Wotus whose been with the Giants through four managers, Dusty Baker, Felipe Alou, Bruce Bochy and now Kapler could be a successor as manager if Kapler were to be fired. It was reported when Wotus spoke to the clubhouse all the players gave him their attention.

Webb questioned, “Why would you get to this position and not give it your best? Give it your all. I think it’s a great message, right. Because no matter what happens at the end of the year, we’re just going to go right back to the offseason and show up in spring training,” he said. He also believes that the team will do their best to try to get back into a possible post-season scenario much like the one they just blew in 2023.

Barbara Mason covers Giants baseball on the road for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Webb says losing not fun, not enjoyable; Does CEO Larry Baer share in the blame?

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb works against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Sep 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb who did win his last game last Monday night said after the game that he was tired of losing despite winning the game and gave praise to San Diego pitcher Blake Snell who opposed him saying he was the one who deserved the Cy Young Award. Webb also added he was tired of losing as the Giants once again will not be a post season team.

#2 Webb said that Alex Cobb pitched good enough all season long and was an All Star this season and it was a shame that someone like that didn’t make post season after all the work he put into the season.

#3 You had mentioned this on your last Giants podcast why would any free agent want to sign with the Giants? Is it the environment, is it that manager Gabe Kapler and team president Farhan Zaidi have trouble making thing work amongst deals and certain strategies on the field.

#4 Does the problems go to the top with team CEO Larry Baer how much does he bare some of the brunt of the blame because he’s watching how much he spends on getting talent or is there some belt tightening involved?

#5 Baer said that the attendance would surge but the Giants are 17th in attendance. Some critics say Baer inherited two World Champion teams from former team CEO Bill Neukom and once those teams dissolved the Giants made the post season just once?

Stephen Ruderman is filling in for Michael Duca on the Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Bills Hamlin vitals normal on breathing tube; Nevin acquired by Tigers for cash; Plus more news

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Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (right) takes a hit from the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (left) in Cincinnati on Monday Night Football Mon Jan 2, 2023 (still photo from ESPN Monday Night Football)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Amaury, We’ll start the podcast with the tragic Monday Night Football story as last night the Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin took a hit that appeared to be in head and upper body area from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins who was charging full speed on a carry. Hamlin got up after the hit and then collapsed, medics applied CPR and he was taken immediately to a local Cincinnati hospital where it was learned that Hamlin listed in critical condition and was out to sleep to have a breathing tube down his throat according to his marketing agent Jordan Rooney.

#2 Staying with football Amaury, this a rough and tumble game if you stand on the sidelines no matter what league it is the CFL, Arena football, high school, college, or the NFL it’s a collision sport and guys know a serious injury can result and medics have to make quick decisions how to treat a player such as the case in Damar Hamlin last night.

#3 We switch to MLB, the Detroit Tigers have acquired infielder Tyler Nevin from the Baltimore Orioles for cash last Saturday. Nevin hit .197 in 58 games for the Orioles hit two home runs and 16 RBIs. Nevin is the son of Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin.

#4 San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi said that the move to end their agreement with the Carlos Correa was not an 11th hour decision and that the Zaidi said the Giants that as soon as the Giants had the information regarding Correa not passing the physical he shared it with the media.

#5 The Giants are ready for the Taylor and Tyler Rogers bullpen show to begin. Taylor who did a introduction call with the media on zoom said that this was a too good to be true situation and that this just so happens to be with the Giants and he said that if happens great if not great too.

#6 New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge named as the 16th captain in Yankees history has been voted the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for 2022. Judge who set the American League record for the most home runs with 62 edged out other pro athletes Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angles who finished second and Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished in third.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants day off report: Giants open four game series in Pittsburgh Thursday night

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San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is seen here in as the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager in this Nov 9, 2016 photo said that he will be looking for left handed hitting for the Giants when the trade deadline comes around in July (AP News file photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants enjoyed a day off on Wednesday after a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday to sweep the two-game series and safeguard their spot at the top of the NL West. They now lead the San Diego Padres by two games and the Los Angeles Dodgers by three games.

Holding a 22-14 record, the Giants are tied at the most wins with the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland A’s and Boston Red Sox. San Francisco and St. Louis, with a .611 win percentage, are the best in the league.

The Giants are on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds before returning to Oracle Park to host the defending champion Dodgers. First pitch for Thursday’s game at PNC Park is at 3:35 p.m.

On Tuesday, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi spoke about the MLB trade deadline more than two months away, in light of how well the team is doing now. Zaidi said that last year the organization talked quite a bit about adding a left-handed bat which could have been the difference. The Giants ended up finishing last season a pitch away from making the playoffs.

“A lot of the best pieces in July are if you add a complementary piece that really addresses an area of need and can really clean up the roster. We’ll be looking at all those things,” Zaidi said on KNBR’s “Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks” show.

“It’s really early and I don’t see ourselves positioning as a buyer or a seller, but we’re in this to be competitive,” he continued. “You like to reward a clubhouse and a group that’s playing well like the way our guys are right now.”

The Giants spent much of Tuesday also celebrating a home run by right fielder Drew Robinson in their Triple-A affiliate Sacramento River Cats. Robinson’s solo homer in the top of the second inning was cheered across the minor and major leagues because it was his first since he lost an eye in an attempted suicide in April 2020.

— _

Harris comes home to be the GM of the SF Giants

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file photo the Athletic: San Francisco Giants general manager Scott Harris, who was hired this weekend, will be introduced by Giants team president Farhan Zaidi this week.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — There are many things on the plate of San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Farhan Zaidi during the 2019 off-season, and one of the plates is now filled.

Zaidi announced the hiring of Scott Harris as the Giants 10th General Manager in team history, replacing Bobby Evans, who was let go during the 2018 season.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring in an executive of Scott’s caliber to help lead our Baseball Operations group,” Zaidi said in a statement. “The combination of his breadth of experience, contributions toward building a championship-winning perennial contender in Chicago and his Bay Area roots made him an ideal fit for our General Manager position and I’m looking forward to executing our vision together.”

Harris, who grew up in Redwood City, went to Columbia Business School and worked for Major League Baseball as the League Coordinator of major league operations before going to work for the Chicago Cubs in 2012.

During his seven years in Chicago, he was part of the front office that saw the Cubs break their 108-year curse of not winning the World Series in 2016.

Harris was promoted to the position of assistant General Manager by the Cubs in January of 2019, but now he is coming home to the Bay Area and will get the wheels rolling for the Giants, who are still looking for a field manager after the retirement of Bruce Bochy at the end of the 2019 season.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips and Michael Duca: Giants slowly but surely have improved the team, thanks to Zaidi

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sports.yahoo.com file photo: San Francisco Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi is the one that holds the decision as to whether or not pitchers Madison Bumgarner or Will Smith stay or go.

On the Giants podcast with Morris and Michael:

The last time Morris and Michael recorded a podcast, the San Francisco Giants were 11 games below .500 and they went as far as 12 games as far as 35-37 and they have won 16 of their last 19 and have rescued their season. We weren’t talking about the same club the last time we spoke.

The Giants are a team that has managed to during the course of the year and they’re getting younger with almost every transaction they make and yet getting more competitive also. The whole thing about Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi — he couldn’t make a splash move, but what we’ve seen is he’s making these incremental moves and made the team slightly better each time.

Listen for more as Morris and Michael bring you the Giants podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: How does Holland get in front of the media? It should’ve been kept in house

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dallasnews.com photo: Starting pitcher Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 8, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Giants pitcher Derek Holland said he faked an injury, which the Giants countered by saying Holland had a left bruised index finger. The Giants say medical records back up the injury while Holland was listed as injured and demoted from a starter to the bullpen.

#2 Holland was listed with the injured bruised finger and sat last month, Holland has insisted he was not injured and the Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi said, “The guy gets hit by a truck, he can’t walk out on the field. That I guess an unequivocal injury, but there’s a lot of gray area beyond that.”

#3 Holland, no doubt, was disappointed that he was forced to sit for the April 29th injury, and said there was nothing wrong with him and he really wanted to pitch.

#4 Holland says the front office doesn’t know what their doing with the exception for Giants manager Bruce Bochy. Holland said, “I did fake an injury. I’m not happy about that. But at the end of the day I’m going to do whatever they ask me to do.”

#5 Morris has the Giants day off report tonight. On Tuesday, the Giants host the Toronto Blue Jays for two games. The Jays will start Trent Thornton (0-4, 5.06 ERA) and the Giants will start Tyler Beede (0-1,18.69 ERA). Both pitchers are looking for their first win of the season.

Morris does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com