The San Francisco Giants have fired president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi after an 80–82 regular season record and fourth-place finish in the National League West division. The team is promoting former NL MVP and three-time World Series champion Buster Posey into Zaidi’s position leading baseball operations.
Zaidi was hired in November 2018 after front office stints with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers. During his tenure, the Giants compiled a record of 453–506 with one NL West division title. Their surprising 107–55 record in 2021 was the only season in which San Francisco finished above .500. Aaron Judge
“We appreciate Farhan’s commitment to the organization and his passion for making an impact in our community during his six years with the Giants,” said team chairman Greg Johnson in a statement. “Ultimately, the results have not been what we had hoped, and while that responsibility is shared by all of us, we have decided that a change is necessary.”
Posey became part of the Giants’ ownership group in 2022 and joined the team’s board of directors, after retiring as an active player. The 2010 NL Rookie of the Year and seven-time All-Star approached the team about an ownership stake after finishing his playing career after the 2021 season, according to Johnson.
Negotiations on a contract extension with third baseman Matt Chapman may have indicated Posey’s future in player personnel or baseball operations. The Giants wanted to sign Chapman to an extension amid a bounce-back season in which he hit 27 home runs and 39 doubles with 78 RBI and 15 stolen bases, yet Zaidi and agent Scott Boras couldn’t agree on a deal.
Frustrated with the stalemate, the Giants’ board of directors intervened with Posey taking an active role in contract talks, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly. Boras wanted his client to return to the free agent market coming off a strong season. but Posey agreed to more of Chapman’s terms including a no-trade clause which Zaidi wouldn’t include in a new contract. Chapman eventually agreed to a six-year, $151 million deal with the Giants.
The difficulties with Chapman highlighted previous issues that Zaidi had in recruiting top free agents to San Francisco, including Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Giants agreed to a $350 million contract with shortstop Carlos Correa in December 2022, but the deal was nixed over concerns with Correa’s physical.
Zaidi found success in waiting out the free agent frenzy and getting short-term bargains like Stephen Vogt, Joc Pederson, Carlos Rodón and Kevin Gausman, but that approach didn’t work out with recent signings Jorge Soler and Blake Snell, who underperformed with the Giants only to flourish elsewhere. Posey and team ownership clearly want to aim higher with better results.
“We are looking for someone who can define, direct and lead this franchise’s baseball philosophy and we feel that Buster is the perfect fit,” Johnson added. “Buster has the demeanor, intelligence and drive to do this job, and we are confident that he and Bob Melvin will work together to bring back winning baseball to San Francisco.”
Posey, Johnson and manager Bob Melvin are expected to meet with the media to discuss the organization’s changes on Tuesday.
