As Buster Posey, the Giants’ president of baseball operations since September 2024, gets closer to hiring Tennessee’s coach, Tony Vitello, a 47-year-old man with no professional baseball experience, talks have started growing. This potential hire would be the first of its kind for a team that just finished an 81-81 season. Jeff Frye made his doubts clear on social media.

“I can only think of about a hundred reasons why this is a bad idea! #shegone,” Frye wrote. The following day, he clarified his position while acknowledging Vitello’s accomplishments.

“I have NOTHING against coach Vitello. I enjoyed our interaction when he was an assistant at TCU. He’s done a great job at Tennessee,” Frye explained. “I believe the difference in @MLB baseball and @NCAABaseball is significant, and some professional coaching would be beneficial before managing in the MLB. I mean, they still use aluminum bats in college.”

During his seven years with the Volunteers, Vitello has built up an impressive resume. He turned Tennessee into a national powerhouse, and they made it back to the playoffs in his first year after being out for 14 years.

Under his leadership, the program made it to the College World Series three times, winning its first championship in 2024 and making it to the World Series final for the first time since 1951. In 2022 and 2024, the Volunteers won both the SEC regular-season title and the tournament title. This made Vitello one of the best coaches in college baseball.

But it’s the major leagues we are talking about! The San Francisco Giants want Vitello to take over for Bob Melvin after not making it to the playoffs. But the uncertainty cannot be ignored.

Vitello answered the rumors directly with a short statement.

“Nothing is done.”

This hire is unprecedented because he has never played or coached in MLB or the minor leagues. The Athletic says that the team is close to making a decision, but Vitello’s comments make it sound like talks are still going on as both sides consider this unusual way to move forward.

Meanwhile, San Francisco has to make important roster choices, too, that will affect how long the team can compete. The front office needs to find a balance between short-term needs and long-term plans that are already in place.

Giants’ free agency plans hinge on Devers

There are real offensive upgrades on the market. Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Ryan O’Hearn, and Kyle Schwarber, who have all shown they can produce. Each player would make most lineups stronger right away, but the Giants are in a strange situation where these players don’t fit with their long-term plan.

The problem comes from commitments.

Rafael Devers, who is signed through 2033, moved from third base to first base this season and did a good job of getting used to the new position. The organization has said in public that they want to pair Bryce Eldridge with Devers in the middle of the lineup for years to come.

While prospect Eldridge still works on his defensive skills at first base, this dual commitment effectively rules out both corner infield positions as options for big free agent signings.

But if Eldridge needs more time in the minor leagues, San Francisco could look for a quick fix.

Ty France or Josh Bell could keep the seat warm until Eldridge gets there. They could make plays without getting in the way of the prospect’s path.

The Giants need to look past first base and the designated hitter. Their strategy of making Devers and Eldridge the team’s main players means they have to fix other problems with the roster while still being flexible as their young core grows.