© John Hefti | 2018 Aug 6
Giants manager Bruce Bochy joined Murph & Mac on KNBR 680 Wednesday morning, for the first time since the club signed new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi last week.
Bochy said he has spoken to Zaidi recently and frequently, and touched on the perception that Zaidi’s analytical proclivities will clash with Bochy’s more old-school approach.
He also revealed that the entire coaching staff will be returning next season.
“We talked just a few days ago,” Bochy said. “We had some pressing needs as far as the coaching staff. He was really supportive of the staff and I know he’s got a lot on his plate right now, but we’ve spent a lot of time on the phone just going over the club position-by-position. He wants to hear your thoughts and I guess get his plan down before we head to the Winter Meetings.
“But the biggest issue, which you love, is he had concern about the coaching staff. He didn’t want them wondering, or having any doubt if they’re coming back. So we got that in place and the staff is coming back and we’ll be ready to go.”
Zaidi was accused by some of meddling with Dave Roberts’ lineups during his time with the Dodgers, and taking his analytical approach too far when it comes to personnel decisions. Bochy said he’s not totally buying that narrative.
“I really think it’s overblown. Not the importance of what he’s going to bring because obviously he’s a very smart man and he’s going to make us all better. As we talked about so much there’s a balance, and he believes that too, and we talked about that some. I know Dave Roberts well and I know they work very well together, and he worked with (Bob) Melvin.
“It’s about working together and collaborating and giving new ideas. I’m sure he’s going to challenge me on game strategy and things like that, just like I imagine he wants to hear my thoughts and what I think. And that’s good. I think positive dialogue is going to make us better.
“I think that’s even maybe a little concern of his too that he’s just one way and extreme on the analytics side. I just don’t feel that’s the case and we’ve had some great conversations.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Bochy on Zaidi, start from 5:15.