The San Francisco Giants have made their first big offseason move, and it's not what you would expect. The Giants agreed to extend manager Gabe Kapler's contract through the 2024 season, as detailed by Bleacher Report.
The specifics of the contract have not been released, but it extends Kapler two years. He signed a 3-year contract prior to last season.
We have officially extended the contract of Manager Gabe Kapler through the 2024 season pic.twitter.com/lb5ImSPWJm
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) November 12, 2021
In only his second year as a manager of the Giants, Kapler led San Francisco to an MLB-best 107 wins. This past season was thought to be a rebuilding year for the Giants. That makes what he accomplished that much more impressive.
In the coming days, it is expected that Gabe Kapler will win the MLB Manager of the Year Award. In typical San Francisco Giants fashion, they won despite name recognition.
Outside of future Hall of Fame catcher Buster Posey, they did not have a household name on their roster. Yet, finished 107-55. It's inexplicable and so Giants.
They pitched well, finishing with a team ERA of 3.24, which was 2nd best in the National League. They also played very good defense, finishing tied for 7th in all of baseball in fielding percentage. But the savvy decisions that Kapler made on the fly made all of it work.
It has long been thought that former players who were utility men, made great managers. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is another great example of this. Kapler, throughout his playing career, was the consummate professional and excellent utility player.
In 2022 though, Kapler's job gets more difficult. Posey, coming off an astounding year, has retired. The average age of the Giants roster last season was the 2nd oldest in baseball. The rival Dodgers will be very good once again.
But if there is one thing MLB fans have come to learn this century, don't count out the Giants.
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