NL Notes: Giants, Schumaker, Kelly

The Giants have made a major move by signing experienced manager Bob Melvin to a three-year contract, effectively filling their managerial vacancy just in time for what promises to be an action-packed offseason. Had they failed to secure Melvin, they had other candidates in mind, including Mariners bullpen coach Stephen Vogt and Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Additional contenders were Giants coaches Alyssa Nakken, Kai Correa, and Mark Hallberg, with the team also expressing interest in Jason Varitek from the Red Sox, Bill Haselman from the Angels, and Nick Hundley from the Rangers.

Mendoza’s candidacy comes as a surprise as he was not previously associated with the Giants. He is considered a potential contender for the Guardians’ managerial opening.

After playing for four years in the Yankees farm system, Mendoza moved into a coaching role in the minor leagues in 2009. Over the next nine seasons, he held various coaching positions at different levels before being promoted to the big league staff in 2018. He served as the infield coach for two years and has been Aaron Boone’s bench coach since 2020.

Let’s take a look at more news regarding coaching and management throughout the Senior Circuit…

• Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentions the possibility of the Padres targeting Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. The Padres reportedly had a great experience with Schumaker during his time as a coach in San Diego. However, it seems unlikely that the Marlins would grant permission for him to interview with another team. Schumaker’s contract with the Marlins will expire after the 2024 season, but Miami holds a club option for the 2025 campaign. Heyman also suggests that Schumaker may already be considering a move due to his discontent with how the team handled former GM Kim Ng’s departure. Ng hired Schumaker last year, and he likely anticipated a longer working relationship.
• Heyman also highlights Pirates bench coach Don Kelly as a “future manager,” although he does not link him to any specific teams. Interestingly, Kelly has no intention of pursuing managerial opportunities around the league. After the recent passing of his father-in-law Tom Walker, he prefers to stay near his family in Pittsburgh, where he has been working for the past four seasons under manager Derek Shelton.