Bob Melvin faces uncertainty with Giants after another middling season at helm originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Bob Melvin wasn’t supposed to be facing questions about his 2026 status after the 2025 finale. The Giants looked to be headed for the postseason for most of the first half, and after the losing started, Melvin had his 2026 option picked up by president of baseball operations Buster Posey.
But on Sunday afternoon, a few minutes after the end of a disappointing 81-81 season, Melvin admitted he has gotten no recent assurances that his job is still safe. He said he expects to speak to someone in the front office on Monday.
“It is what it is,” he said postgame. “We’ll see what the next day brings.”
The vibes in the clubhouse after the season’s final game certainly did not seem to indicate it definitely will bring good news. The entire coaching staff has felt in the dark on this homestand, with some noting that their normal end-of-season meetings had not yet been scheduled. There was nothing but uncertainty as the staff headed for the offseason.
Melvin has had the backing of his players throughout his two years in San Francisco, but there has been a lot of internal talk in recent weeks about the fact that someone will have to pay for this second-half collapse. The Giants were double-digit games over .500 in June, then went out and acquired Rafael Devers. On Sunday, they watched as the Cincinnati Reds clinched the final NL playoff spot with just 83 wins.
It was a disappointing year, and that may fall on the manager, or at least some of his coaches. That would sting for a lot of the players, many of whom have tried to take responsibility in the second half.
“I think at the end of the day it comes down to us being able to play better as players,” ace Logan Webb said. “I think everyone in here would say the exact same thing. BoMel is a great leader of men, and it’s been amazing. I think BoMel is great.”
The Giants went 80-82 in Melvin’s first season in San Francisco. They got off to a good start earlier this year, but had lost six of seven when Posey made the decision to pick up the option. The bold move did not work, and the Giants at one point lost 15 of 16 games at Oracle Park.
If a move is made, that stretch will likely be the reason. It was one of the worst months in franchise history and came at a time when the Giants were seeing notable attendance gains.
Melvin didn’t offer any more on Sunday except to mention the Monday meeting. He did not expect to meet with Posey on Sunday. Multiple players said the roster has been given no indication one way or another about what is next.
Third baseman Matt Chapman has in the past said that Melvin is the biggest reason he came to San Francisco. After Sunday’s game, he said he’s “grateful” to have reunited after years together in Oakland.
“He’s the same guy every day. He’s been steady for us,” Chapman said. “He’s always honest with the players, he has our back, he’s done the best with what we’ve given him, the players. A lot of us didn’t play to probably our capabilities.
“If you ask guys in this room, I think a lot of guys would say they wish they were able to play better or more consistently. He never turns his back on us, and he always has our back. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about BoMel. Obviously, I love him.”
