San Francisco Giants Part Ways with Manager Gabe Kapler After Four Seasons

The San Francisco Giants, known for their storied history and passionate fanbase, have made a significant managerial change, parting ways with Gabe Kapler after four seasons at the helm. The decision comes on the heels of a late-season collapse that saw the team tumble out of playoff contention, raising questions about the franchise's future direction.

The firing, which sent shockwaves through the baseball world, occurred with just three games left in the season, as the Giants held a 78-81 record. Giants President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, played a pivotal role in this decision, making a formal recommendation to ownership, which was subsequently approved.

The Giants are looking to turn the franchise around and get into the playoffs. Photo: SF Giants Instagram

Kai Correa has been tasked with managing the Giants for their remaining three games, including a recent 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Gabe Kapler expressed his feelings about his time with the Giants, saying, "It is a disappointment to say goodbye. I felt a genuine connection, perhaps not to everyone everywhere, of course, but to most... We didn't win enough to satisfy me or our fans; that sucks."

Kapler, who took the reins as Giants manager in 2020, made a significant impact in the 2021 season when he led the team to an impressive 107-55 record. Notably, it was the first time in over a decade that a team had finished ahead of the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. Although the Giants were ultimately defeated by the Dodgers in the division series, optimism ran high. However, the subsequent season saw the team struggle to replicate that success, finishing with an 81-81 record.

The decision to let go of Kapler has opened up another managerial spot in what promises to be a winter brimming with vacancies. The retirement of Cleveland's Terry Francona and the uncertain statuses of managers like Milwaukee's Craig Counsell, Houston's Dusty Baker, the Los Angeles Angels' Phil Nevin, the New York Mets' Buck Showalter, and San Diego's Bob Melvin add intrigue to the managerial landscape.

In the weeks following the All-Star break, the Giants appeared poised for a resurgence, reaching a season-high 13 games above .500 and trailing the Dodgers by a mere 1.5 games. However, the team's performance took a sharp decline, as evidenced by their 24-40 record since July 18. Frustration simmered within the ranks, culminating in a disappointing September with an 8-18 record.

The Giants have an impressive crew and are looking to add to that next season. Photo: SF Giants Instagram

Ace pitcher Logan Webb, who had an impressive season despite the team's struggles, encapsulated the sentiment, stating, "I'm tired of losing. It's not enjoyable. It's not fun. We have to make some big changes in here to create that winning culture that we want to show up every single year and try to win the whole thing."

Farhan Zaidi acknowledged that the Giants played their "worst baseball when it mattered the most," and the organization has opted to chart a different course in light of these challenges.

With a payroll commitment of only $110 million for 2024 and a mere $45 million for 2025, the Giants are poised to be active players in free agency this winter, with the possibility of targeting a superstar like Shohei Ohtani. As the Giants embark on a new chapter, the future holds both uncertainty and optimism, and fans eagerly await what lies ahead.