The San Francisco Giants made a quiet but potentially impactful move this offseason by signing right-hander Tyler Mahle, and behind the scenes, there was a familiar voice helping steer that decision-Bruce Bochy.
Yes, that Bruce Bochy. The three-time World Series-winning skipper who led the Texas Rangers to a title in 2023 and spent the last few seasons in Arlington is now back in San Francisco-this time, not in the dugout, but in the front office. And already, his influence is being felt.
Mahle, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2023, was still in recovery mode when he signed a two-year deal with the Rangers following that season. It was a classic “buy low, bet on the bounce-back” move-one we’ve seen more frequently in recent years with pitchers coming off major surgery. The idea is simple: year one is for rehab, year two is the payoff.
And in Mahle’s case, the payoff looked promising. He made 19 appearances (16 of them starts) in 2025 and posted a sharp 2.54 ERA.
That’s not just serviceable-it’s the kind of production that can stabilize a rotation. But here’s the rub: staying on the mound has been Mahle’s biggest challenge.
He hasn’t topped 20 appearances in a season since 2022, and he’s only crossed the 150-inning threshold once in his nine-year career.
The Giants know that. They’re not expecting 200 innings from Mahle.
If he gives them 120 quality frames in 2026, that’s already a win. The key will be managing expectations and having the depth to absorb any missed time.
That’s where San Francisco’s young arms come in-they’ll be asked to step up if Mahle hits any bumps along the way.
Still, the Giants clearly believe in what Mahle can bring when healthy. And a big part of that belief comes from Bochy, who saw him up close in Texas.
Despite the limited workload, Bochy liked what he saw from the right-hander. Enough to recommend him as a fit for the Giants during this transitional phase under new manager Tony Vitello.
Bochy’s return to the organization isn’t as the manager-though for a brief moment this offseason, it looked like that reunion might happen. When the Giants had a managerial vacancy, speculation swirled about a potential Bochy comeback.
But Buster Posey, now a key figure in the Giants’ leadership group, quickly shut that door. Instead, Bochy was brought in as a special advisor, a role that allows him to lend his experience without the daily grind of managing.
He’s not alone, either. Dusty Baker also joined the Giants’ advisory group, giving Vitello a pair of baseball lifers to lean on as he navigates his first season at the helm. Between the two of them, there’s more than enough wisdom to go around.
As for Bochy, he’s already making his presence felt. The Mahle signing may be the first move with his fingerprints on it, but it almost certainly won’t be the last. The Giants are building something that blends experience with youth, and Bochy’s voice is becoming a key part of that conversation.
