In the span of two years, Buster Posey has gone from joining the San Francisco Giants’ ownership group and serving on their board of directors to now assuming the role of president of baseball operations.
Fahan Zaidi is out after six years and Posey is in after the Giants missed the MLB playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. Just two seasons ago they won 107 games and the NL West, but in the 2023 season the team won its fewest games (79) in a full season since 2019 (77).
Posey, 37, is three years away from retiring after a 12-season MLB career, all in San Francisco. He won Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and three World Series titles, but now the former catcher is tasked with turning around the franchise’s fortunes and bringing winning baseball back to the area, something that attracted him to the job.
“The opportunity to be part of a team, to have the opportunity to improve staff and players. We’re at a point where we’re doing business,” Posey said during Tuesday’s introductory news conference. “Sure, winning is cool and ultimately that’s our goal, but the bigger picture of being a part of something bigger than yourself is really appealing.”
Posey has already left his mark on the current Giants roster. In early September, the team announced an extension for Matt Chapman, which was the culmination of work done by Posey with agent Scott Boras after little ground was made with Zaidi leading talks from the team side.
Now in full charge, Posey will look to hire the team’s next general manager and Pete Putila will be reassigned in the organization.
“I want a servant leader who can empower people,” Posey said of what he looks for in a general manager. “Ideally, someone with scouting experience would be important to me as well. Today’s game is very much about combining what your eyes and instincts see with what the data tells you.”
Posey’s move from playing to an influential executive role may raise eyebrows around the league, but he said he will use the experience of those around him in his decision-making.
Besides hiring a general manager, top of Posey’s to-do list is keeping pitcher Blake Snell. The two-time Cy Young Award winner, 31, signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants in March that includes a player option for 2025. Snell will more than likely opt out and try out the contract gratuitous. agent market.
Snell had a rough first half, but finished the 2024 season strong, setting him up to cash in this winter. The Giants hope to be high on his list of potential destinations.
“He’s obviously someone we’ll make it a priority to take a hard look at,” Posey said.
Posey has a vision of what he wants a competitive team to be. Six of his first full MLB seasons saw the Giants finish with a winning record and three ended with titles. With shrewd moves this offseason, it doesn’t have to be a long-term project to present a team capable of being a consistent winner again in San Francisco.
“Hopefully what it’s going to be, and I know (Giants manager) Bob (Melvin) loves this, is good, clean baseball,” Posey said. “What I can take advantage of being a player is that if I go into a game and know that I’m prepared to the best of my ability, regardless of the outcome of the game, I can be satisfied with that.
“I’m hopeful that our guys will get there, and that will be a big thing for them, too.”