Another season, same result—it has been a familiar melody in San Francisco for far too long. The Giants made one of the greatest midseason trades in recent memory when they got Rafael Devers to boost their offense. But the boost never happened, and yet they ended up another season with disappointment. Now, manager Bob Melvin is facing scrutiny, and an MLB insider suggests that changes may be ahead.

Under Bob Melvin’s watch, the Giants have struggled to find consistency. His contract had a 2026 option that he used this summer, but it looks like his job security is suddenly shaky. The squad went 81-81 in 2025, which was only one win better than in 2024. That disappointing record has raised significant questions about the team’s direction and leadership.

The speculation reached new heights when Bob Nightengale of USA Today just wrote that Bruce Bochy can replace him.

In his column, he wrote, “If Melvin is fired, guess who could wind up to be Buster Posey’s top choice to replace Melvin? Yep, Bruce Bochy, the man who led the Giants to three World Series championships, with Posey as his catcher, whose contract expires after the season with the Texas Rangers. It would be the most dramatic managerial change since Tony La Russa came out of retirement to manage the Chicago White Sox.” Bochy’s contract with the Texas Rangers expires after this season, making it a perfect fit.

Bochy is not a sentimental choice at all. He has won more than 2,250 games as a manager, which puts him in sixth place all-time. He has also coached teams to four World Series titles: three with the Giants (2010, 2012, and 2014) and one with the Texas Rangers in 2023. His long experience with the Giants and his success with Posey as his catcher all make him a strong candidate.

To understand how dramatic a Bochy return would be, Nightengale points to recent history. A HOF manager, La Russa retired after winning the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. In October 2020, at 76 years old, he returned as the manager of the Chicago White Sox, becoming the first person in MLB history to manage a team after being inducted into Cooperstown.

He led the White Sox to a 93-win season and the AL Central title in 2021, but they lost in the Division Series. Health problems made him leave by the middle of 2022.

The players sense the urgency, too. Logan Webb’s comments added fuel to the speculation: “If there’s one thing about Buster Posey, it’s that I don’t think he’s okay with losing, or even being .500,” ace said after his final start. “I’m not going to play his job … but I don’t think there’s a lot of people okay with this in this clubhouse.” That statement hints at unrest in the locker room.

The 2025 season ended with an 81-81 record, falling short of the Wild Card hunt. What began as a hopeful season ended in disappointment.

The speculation surrounding Bob Melvin’s future isn’t just media chatter. Behind closed doors, the Giants’ front office is preparing for difficult conversations that could reshape the organization’s direction heading into 2026.

Front office to meet Melvin as GM hints at staff reshuffle

When the Giants were officially out of the playoffs, the focus turned to Bob Melvin’s future. After the last game, which they won 4-0 over Colorado, Melvin said, “Let’s see what happens tomorrow,” and then said honestly, “I haven’t received any guarantees yet.”

In an interview with KNBR 680, General Manager Zack Minasian said that a dismal season makes it necessary to look at things more closely. “After a season like this, we evaluate every department more deeply,” he said. “Conversations about staff composition are inevitable … we’ll comprehensively assess the team, the system, and future options.” He didn’t say for sure that the coaching staff wouldn’t change.

Matt Chapman, a veteran third baseman who has worked with Bob Melvin for years, jumped to his defense. Chapman added, “The manager is always consistent and honest with the players… The problem is that we didn’t perform as expected, not his fault. I’m grateful to have worked with him .” His endorsement shows how much respect Melvin still has in the clubhouse.

Bob Melvin will be under a lot of strain when he walks into that meeting. Whatever happens next will show how much change Posey and the Giants’ management are really ready to accept.