In today’s MLB, managers are slowly losing influence, while players and decision-makers, the ones in charge of the roster construction, are more relevant every day.
However, every team should have a good manager who knows how to get the best out of his group.
Let’s just say that every organization should have the right manager considering their objectives; one that has a similar thinking as the front office and can help the players understand what the club wants to achieve.
These two managers have shown enough to warrant consideration for contract extensions.
Gabe Kapler, San Francisco Giants
Gabe Kapler signed a three-year contract to be the manager of the San Francisco Giants in November 2019.
That means the former player has what remains of the 2021 season, plus 2022 until his deal expires.
The Giants should be smart to lock him up now to a contract extension that would ensure his stay in the Bay Area for a while longer.
At 34-21, the Giants have shocked the baseball world and are the current leaders of the National League West division.
🙌The Giants went 5-1 on their six-game NL West road trip vs ARI/LAD
😏Does that bring some extra swagger to the clubhouse? Here's what Gabe Kapler had to say about it:
"There's quite a bit of confidence in the clubhouse right now…make sure we stay on the gas pedal." pic.twitter.com/xm82mISzTB
— KXSF Sports (@KXSFsports) May 31, 2021
While the players and the front office (who put together a competent roster) deserve most of the praise, it’s fair to say Kapler has also gotten the best of the roster.
Otherwise, the Giants would have no business competing with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers after two months of the MLB season.
San Francisco hasn’t had the best Mike Yastrzemski and Alex Dickerson, a big contributor in 2020, has really struggled so far, yet they have the best record in the NL and the second best overall after the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Giants, under Kapler, won three out of four games against the Dodgers on the weekend.
Also under Kapler, catcher Buster Posey and third baseman Evan Longoria, plus pitcher Alex Wood, are having renaissances.
Other pieces, such as Logan Webb and Anthony DeSclafani, are having breakout campaigns.
Again, Kapler isn’t entirely responsible for all of this, but he has shown he can mesh with the roster and deserves a future with the organization.
Jayce Tingler, San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an exciting project, with a top-notch farm system that they used to bring three frontline starters before the 2021 season: Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove.
And, of course, they have perhaps the best young player in MLB in shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.
When he was hired, before the 2020 season, the Padres’ Executive Vice President/General Manager A.J. Preller said that he had ‘extensive experience in virtually every aspect of coaching, player development, and baseball operations.
So far in his first two seasons at the helm, he has showed nothing but positive things.
The player development part, it appears, has been especially true: with Jayce Tingler as the skipper, Tatis broke out, Jake Cronenworth and Trent Grisham blossomed, and Dinelson Lamet had a breakout year in 2020.
Today, in 2021, the Padres remain as exciting as any organization in the league, with a 34-22 record that is only 0.5 games behind the NL West leaders, the Giants.
And while I struggle with some of his bullpen decisions, I'll reiterate: Jayce Tingler is a really good manager. Tonight's game proved it again. https://t.co/t2r9WfnIFI
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) April 26, 2021
Tingler has a hand in that success, and he deserves to be part of the Padres’ future as they try to bring down the Dodgers and advance to their first World Series since 1998.
NEXT: 3 Most Promising Pitchers In Detroit Tigers Organization