The San Francisco Giants have officially named Tony Vitello as their new manager. While he lacks any professional baseball experience, adding Max Scherzer this offseason could be a major boost for the team.
Scherzer and Vitello share a long-standing friendship that began during Scherzer’s college days at the University of Missouri, where Vitello served as an assistant coach.
SF Giants must sign Max Scherzer to get veteran buy-in after Tony Vitello hire
When asked about the possibility of Tony Vitello managing in the majors, Max Scherzer had nothing but praise, saying, “He makes you want to run through a brick wall for him. He was perfect for me when I was in college… He’s still one of my closest friends, and I absolutely believe he’s going to succeed at the big league level.”
Scherzer downplayed concerns about Vitello earning players’ trust, confident that his passion and ability to connect with players would win them over. Still, having someone like Scherzer in the clubhouse could help ease any hesitation among veteran players.
Young players with prior ties to Vitello, such as Drew Gilbert, will likely be ecstatic about his hiring, but some veterans—like Matt Chapman, who had a close bond with former manager Bob Melvin—might be a bit more cautious about a manager with no MLB experience.
Signing Scherzer would not only help establish immediate credibility and buy-in for Vitello, but it would also address a need in the Giants’ rotation. Despite posting a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts for Toronto in 2025, Scherzer could still offer value on a low-cost, one-year deal as a back-end starter.
His fiery competitiveness was on full display during the Blue Jays’ postseason run, particularly in the ALCS, proving his drive to win remains strong. Joining the Giants would allow him to pitch in a favorable environment while reuniting with a close friend—and in doing so, lend further legitimacy to Vitello’s leadership.
While Scherzer may be right that Vitello can earn full buy-in on his own, having a respected veteran like him on board would only strengthen that process.
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