Longtime MLB coach, manager Ron Washington finalizing deal to join Giants’ staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — There’s never been a Major League manager with less experience than Tony Vitello, but the Giants are on the verge of adding another coach to his staff who will fill some of the gaps as he makes the transition from Tennessee to the big leagues.
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During an appearance on KNBR on Thursday morning, general manager Zack Minasian confirmed a USA Today report that the organization is finalizing a deal with longtime coach and manager Ron Washington, giving Vitello another experienced voice, and giving the Giants one of the best infield coaches around.
Washington, 73, was most recently the manager in Anaheim, where Minasian’s brother is the general manager. He has 10 years of big league managing experience with the Angels and Texas Rangers and has been a coach for the Athletics and Atlanta Braves.
The Giants still are in the process of finalizing exact roles for their incoming coaches, and Minasian said it’s possible Washington gets in the mix as third base coach. But at the very least, he will coach up the infielders, and few have ever been better at that. With Washington and Ron Wotus in the organization, the Giants will have two of the most respected infield coaches in the industry.
Minasian said Washington’s name was brought up by Vitello, who is putting the finishing touches on his first big league staff. He also will lean on Jayce Tingler, who has been hired in a to-be-announced role. Tingler has previous big league managing experience, as well.
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The Giants also have Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker on hand as advisors. Between those two, Washington and Wotus, and Tingler, there will be no shortage of experienced minds around to help Vitello navigate his first season. Minasian said the entire group will get together for the first time at next week’s Winter Meetings and the Giants hope to officially announce their hires in the coming days.
