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Carlos Beltran Has the Best Odds to Be San Francisco Giants Next Manager

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in MLB Baseball

Updated Jan 6, 2023 · 6:03 AM PST

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Carlos Beltran was a favorite for the Giants job. Photo by Keith Allison (Flickr)
  • Odds have pegged longtime big league slugger Carlos Beltran as the +300 co-favorite to replace Bruce Bochy as manager of the San Francisco Giants
  • Former major league infielder Hensley Meulens is also listed at +300
  • Recently-departed Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is the +1000 longshot to fill the position

Carlos Beltran as the next manager of the San Francisco Giants? At first glance, this seems like an unlikely move.

Unless, of course, you are of the belief that time heals all wounds.

Oddsmakers have established former big-league slugger Beltran, who had a brief fling as a Giants player, and current Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens +300 co-favorites to replace the retiring Bruce Bochy as San Francisco manager.

San Francisco Giants Next Manager Odds

Candidate Odds
Carlos Beltran +300
Hensley Meulens +300
Eric Chavez +400
Bob Geren +400
Raul Ibanez +500
Josh Bard +750
Joe Girardi +750
Joe Maddon +1000

*Odds taken on 09/30/19.

Neither Beltran nor Meulens has ever previously served as a big-league manager.

Beltran’s Short Span As A Giant

In 2011, the Giants acquired the all-star outfielder at the MLB trade deadline to help the defending World Series champions make a playoff push.

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The Giants didn’t qualify for postseason play, though and in the winter let Beltran walk as a free agent without even making him an offer. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 2017, his farewell season as an MLB player, Beltran won the World Series with the Houston Astros. He’s worked the past two seasons as a special advisor to New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman.

Replacing A Legend

Bochy leaves San Francisco having led the Giants to a trio of World Series titles, four playoff appearances, and 1,052 wins.

But his final game in charge – a 9-0 loss to the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers – emphasized where the Giants currently find themselves in the MLB pecking order.

Following a third straight losing season, they’re a team entering a full rebuild.

Big Names Not Part Of The Picture

Both Girardi (+750) and Maddon (+1000) show World Series wins on their MLB managing resumes, but neither figures to have their heart in the San Francisco job at this stage of their careers. If they’re going to manage, it’s for the chance to win now.

Maddon has been linked to both the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels jobs. Another contender, Raul Ibanez (+500), is thought to be the next skipper of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Will Manager Bring Local Flavor?

Bob Geren (+400) managed the crosstown Oakland A’s from 2006-11. Eric Chavez was a six-time Gold Glove third baseman for the A’s who works today as a special assistant with the Angels.

The name that seems to make a lot of sense on this list, though, is Meulens. The first Curacaoan to play in Major League Baseball, he’s been on the Giants’ staff for the past decade. He spent eight seasons as the club’s hitting coach before being promoted to bench coach in 2018.

In that role, Meulens handled the day-to-day administration and worked directly with Bochy on in-game strategy. Meulens was also responsible for outfield defense instruction, positioning and preparation.

Meulens managed the Netherlands in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Beltran, Meulens Have Been Here Before

Beltran and Meulens were finalists for the Yankees manager job in 2017 but lost out to Aaron Boone. Meulens also interviewed last year to be skipper of the Cincinnati Reds.

If they want someone familiar with the organization, Meulens is a great fit. Geren, currently bench coach for the Dodgers, offers big-league managerial experience. And he ‘s worked with Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi in both Oakland and LA.

Both make more sense than Beltran.

Pick: Bob Geren (+400).


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