Giants Eye Tony Vitello as Next Manager – With Max Scherzer Potentially in Tow
With the World Series stage now set, the rest of the league has officially turned the page to the offseason. And in San Francisco, much of the buzz isn’t about free agents-at least not yet. It’s about who takes the helm in the dugout.
The SF Giants appear to have zeroed in on University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello as their top target to replace their outgoing manager. Multiple reports have connected Vitello to the opening, and negotiations are reportedly ongoing.
The Vols’ head coach comes with a $3 million price tag, and bringing him to the Bay could be an unorthodox move. But there’s also reason to believe it could be a bold and savvy one.
After Nick Hundley, reportedly the Giants’ first choice, declined the job, there’s naturally some pressure to get this hire right-not just quickly, but convincingly. And despite the unconventional nature of the move, Vitello may be exactly the shot in the arm this clubhouse needs.
Why Tony Vitello?
Let’s be honest: making the leap from college baseball to MLB managing is virtually unheard of. But Vitello isn’t just your average college head coach.
He’s a high-energy leader who’s helped turn Tennessee into a program loaded with big-league-ready talent. Still, there’s no sugarcoating it-managing pros is a different beast.
You’re not rallying student-athletes in their dorms; you’re managing families, million-dollar contracts, and egos wrapped around 12-year MLB careers.
That said, Vitello’s track record of building strong, competitive environments from the ground up makes him an intriguing candidate. He’ll enter a veteran clubhouse with a blank slate and a lot to prove. And that’s where things get interesting-especially with the potential ripple effects a hire like this could spark.
Cue the Max Scherzer Speculation-With a Twist of Realism
One name that’s gaining traction as a possible co-star in this offseason play? Max Scherzer.
Here’s where the connections get compelling. Vitello once recruited Scherzer to the University of Missouri way back when, and the two have stayed tight ever since.
Their relationship isn’t just surface-level-it spans decades, and there’s real mutual respect there. If the Giants bring in Vitello, that alone could be enough to get Scherzer to pick up the phone.
With Justin Verlander potentially wrapping up his brief stint in San Francisco, there’s a leadership (and rotation) vacuum about to open up. Scherzer, even in his early 40s, still brings that fiery competitiveness that teammates gravitate toward.
His “give-me-the-ball” mentality is exactly what Buster Posey, now a key figure in the front office, consistently seeks in veteran players. The man sets a tone, and in a transition year with a college coach taking over an MLB clubhouse, that presence becomes even more valuable.
And while Scherzer might not match Verlander dollar-for-dollar at this stage in his career, he could offer similar impact at a slightly lower price point-both on the field and in the clubhouse.
Roster Implications – Why This Fits San Francisco’s Blueprint
The idea here isn’t to build a full-time retirement home for future Hall of Famers. Scherzer would fit as more than a nostalgia signing-he would be a foundational bridge in a year of transition, helping establish credibility for Vitello in the dugout and leading by example in a rotation that’s likely to see multiple new faces.
San Francisco is expected to pursue more than one starting pitcher this offseason, so a Scherzer signing wouldn’t necessarily close the door on a possible Verlander reunion. But stacking the rotation with two aging arms feels improbable.
A more logical path? Pairing a veteran like Scherzer with a younger, controllable arm who can grow into a frontline role beyond 2026.
Connections Inside the Clubhouse Already Taking Shape
If Vitello comes to San Francisco, he won’t be walking into a cold room. The Giants have already been raiding Tennessee’s pipeline, recently acquiring Drew Gilbert and Blake Tidwell-two former Vols who thrived under Vitello’s watch. Add to that the club’s most recent first-round pick, Gavin Kilen, also from Tennessee, and a pattern starts to emerge.
It’s clear that Posey and GM Perry Minasian see something they like in the way Vitello molds his players. This isn’t just about hiring a college coach for the sake of novelty-this feels like a calculated alignment of philosophy, player development, and clubhouse culture.
What Comes Next
Whether or not Vitello ultimately makes the leap to the Majors, the interest alone signals a shift in how the Giants are thinking. They’re not just running back the old formula. They’re looking to inject fresh energy into a franchise that’s been stuck between rebuild and reload for too long.
And if that move comes with a proven veteran ace like Scherzer-someone who can anchor the rotation and help ease the transition-then this isn’t just a rebuild on the fly. It’s a reimagining of the entire Giants identity.
Stay tuned. This offseason could get very interesting, very quickly in San Francisco.
