Another lost season in San Francisco has clouded longtime skipper Bruce Bochy’s future. His deal expires after the 2019 season, but will he return in the first place?
At 70-80, the San Francisco Giants are nearing the end of a disappointing 2018 campaign. While it isn’t his fault, manager Bruce Bochy might end up taking the fall for two straight underwhelming seasons.
While Bochy himself has said he’d like to be back, “ownership hasn’t fully clarified the manager’s status for next year,” according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
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There are a number of reasons as to why.
The Giants are 134-178 from 2017-18 thus far. That’s not exactly ideal for a team that won the World Series just four years ago.
Ownership did make attempts to strengthen the roster this year, with Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria coming over via trades.
However, it appears Giants’ brass got a dose of reality, as they traded Cutch to New York in August.
San Francisco has become an organization that is attempting to squeeze out one last playoff run. The truth is, though, the roster is filled with veterans past their primes.
With an average farm system, letting Bochy walk could be the right move.
But, don’t tell him that. When talking to Shea, Bochy reaffirmed his love for managing.
"“The love of the game and the desire to get back to the postseason,” he said, listing two of his motives for wanting to return. “I’d love to have another shot at winning the championship. That doesn’t mean it happens like you want, but that’s what I want. I’m still hungry for that.”"
Bochy is 11th all-time in manager wins, a three-time World Series champion and one of the most respected skippers in the game. If he were to be let go, suitors would line up for his services.
It’d be a disappointing end to his tenure in the bay area. His stars have underperformed and injuries have taken their toll. It’s a tough situation to put the blame on one particular person.
Shea also spoke to a scout who gave his take on Bochy returning in 2019.
"“If Boch wants to stay, nobody should say anything and nobody should run him out,” the scout said. “If he says he wants to stay, he should stay. They owe it to him. Nobody owes anything to anyone in this game, but they owe it to him. Boch on a bad day is better than any other manager in the big leagues on a good day.”"
Time will tell, but one thing is certain; Bochy has done all he’s can for the San Francisco Giants.