Pete Putila out as general manager, SF Giants begin search immediately

The SF Giants took a key leadership role on Monday when they announced that Buster Posey would take over as head of baseball operations. However, they will have a different role to fill as Posey confirmed that Pete Putila will not continue as general manager.

Pete Putila out as general manager, SF Giants begin search immediately

It actually sounded like Putila was staying in San Francisco in a different role. The details for this role have not yet been finalized.

Putila served as the team's general manager since October 2022. He took over from Scott Harris, who was hired by the Detroit Tigers as team president of baseball operations.

When Farhan Zaidi hired Putila, it was to create balance in terms of player development. Putila previously served in various roles for the Houston Astros, particularly in player development.

The longtime Astros manager began his career as a baseball operations intern in Houston in 2011 and was promoted to assistant general manager in 2019. Despite the front office turmoil caused by the sign-stealing scandal in 2017, he became a trusted voice in Houston.

Much of Putila's work took place behind the scenes, but he was a clear presence in Jung Hoo Lee's final games with the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes. This proved to be something of a foreshadowing, as Lee would sign a six-year contract with the Giants shortly before the end of his KBO tenure.

There were some positive development stories during Putila's short time as general manager. Perhaps most notable was Luis Matos' rapid rise through the minor leagues in 2023 after a disappointing 2022 season in the lower minor leagues.

On the mound, Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp were among the pitchers who experienced speed drops shortly after being drafted by the Giants organization. Was Putila responsible for this? It's always hard to say, but he was given the task of leading player development during this time.

The Giants certainly need improvement on the development side, so keeping Putila would be a positive sign of an intriguing time for the organization. However, the organization needs to further expand its development practices to achieve better results in the future.

If you're wondering who could take over, Jeremy Shelley is one of the names mentioned during Posey's press conference. Shelley has served in various roles with the Giants since 1996.