Tony Vitello to SF Giants (Confirmed)

[taylorvol]

yea but that rah rah stuff and antics won't work in MLB with veterans who have been in the league for years when you have never played in MLB or even coached in MLB. Lots of different personalities and lots of players from Dominican or Venezuelan, Panama, Mexico, Colombia, etc so lots of different personalities and cultures to manage as well.

The Florida Marlins tried something similar to this with John Boles who also never played in the league either and he was a disaster.

Chris Burke said CTV is self aware to change his style based on the environment. I think CTV would be miserable in MLB.

 

[Adam Sandler]

There is so much to the story and as you’ll see with various sources, there’s all kinds of things leaking out connected to NIL and Tony’s strained relationship with Danny White. But here’s the reality of the MLB job. If Tony is a legit candidate (which I think he is) for this job, any major league team with any sensibility would not want to pay him more than $2 million a year. Look at the pay of the 30 teams in MLB right now. This information isn’t secret so there’s no need to speculate. Tony makes more than over half of the managers in Major League Baseball, right now at Tennessee. That’s a fact. Only eight managers make over $4 million a year and those guys resumes are pretty damn impressive. We’re talking about a guy that’s never sat in a professional dugout in his life. Those are the kind of risk that MLB teams simply do not take. Not established programs like the Giants.

So, this is a huge gamble for the Giants if they go this direction. They do not want to be on the hook for some exuberant guaranteed contract for an unproven commodity. No matter how great we know that Tony is, that doesn’t translate to success in the major leagues. I’m really shocked at the lack of understanding of so many so-called sports fans understand about the differences in college and professional baseball. It’s huge.

The textbook answer seems to be that people think Tony will make more money in the major leagues when in fact that should never be the case. At BEST!!, he should be about a $1.5 million a year coach in Major league baseball. Would a lower level team take a risk on a coach like that to try to get a return on the investment? Sure. Does a top-notch team like the Giants do those kind of things? Hell no.

So, one has to believe that Tony’s going to be made one of the seven highest paid coaches in MLB. Think about that for a minute. And what is shocking is most people say this without even batting an eye. It is a completely insane proposition.

Therefore, I think Tony’s continued interest and pursuit is due to the fact that he is frustrated with the situation at UT. This reapportionment of NIL dollars is a lot bigger problem than what people know or are willing to admit. This has been brewing way before Tony’s name came up for any job. Danny White should’ve been working to fix this to find more resources and more money to provide baseball. Instead, it appears that Danny is throwing up his hands and saying, “what am I supposed to do?“ Well, I’ll tell you what you’re supposed to do, figure it the **** out!

Why has this drug out? This is only speculation on my part, but I truly believe it’s because Tony is trying to figure out a way to make the math make sense. On both sides. I believe if San Francisco would pay him $4 million the deal would be signed.

Dont get me wrong, I believe SF is genuinely interested, but this is pro ball. Ownership isn’t real keen on a GM going this far outside the box. And certainly not for big dollars.

My prediction? Tony takes the job and for a lot less money than people think. Why? I think k he’s over Danny White We’ll see.

Listen to yourself. Read it back 10 times over.

You will never convince me that a lack of NIL dollars is that big of an issue that TV is willing to take a risk that could very well potentially tank or at very least majorly detour his career. Call that denial if you want, but it just doesn’t make sense right now. You will also not convince me that Danny white is the type of AD to throw his hands up lol. The man has been a pioneer and moved mountains. He’ll figure it out if there’s any issues there.

He made this one of the most competitive programs in the country and he started doing it without NIL as a primary factor. A few dollars here or there isn’t going to make Tony think he won’t have one of the most competitive programs in the country, and it’s not going to make him give up a dynasty here for a potentially very empty promise from some self-interested team owner on the other side of the country.

Based on the “information” from your “sources”, I would believe Tony jumping to another college program well before I’d believe he leaves for the pros. Maybe I’ll be super disappointed, but I just don’t see it.

 

[Hunerwadel]

I don’t claim to know anything about the situation. I’m just saying I don’t believe anything being floated as truth at this time. Maybe they did maybe they didn’t. Until a press release is made, everything said are only rumors. And I hate rumors. Unless they’re Grumors, those are amazing.

I love rumors. I've been known to start a few.

 

[CobbWebb71]

yea but that rah rah stuff and antics won't work in MLB with veterans who have been in the league for years when you have never played in MLB or even coached in MLB. Lots of different personalities and lots of players from Dominican or Venezuelan, Panama, Mexico, Colombia, etc so lots of different personalities and cultures to manage as well.

The Florida Marlins tried something similar to this with John Boles who also never played in the league either and he was a disaster.

Did you really just compare John Boles to Tony Vitello...

 

[Pawleysvol]

GA had the #1 portal class in baseball according to D1. Yes, Ga! They are spending some serious money on baseball.

Georgia builds their entire roster through the portal. LSU and Tennessee do not.

 

[CobbWebb71]

And even it did work, it’s hard to be “up” for 162 games.

 

[lilesrt]

#2 is true until proven otherwise. He is the program. There’s several examples of schools who were terrible before and after a certain guy. Tony is that for our baseball program.

This.. TV makes Tennessee baseball attractive.

 

[chuckiepoo]

bottom line is he never played in the majors or even coached in the majors. This will cause issues because players especially the veterans will have no respect at all towards TV, none at all.

It would take time to build that respect with veterans but not sure Giants can afford to be patient if they don't start winning and push back from fans with hiring a college coach.

It’s not like The Bay area has a volatile fanbase or anything…

 

[VolsCigarMan]

And even it did work, it’s hard to be “up” for 162 games.

totally agree. 162 games a year plus playoffs if you make it, is rough. I love baseball but I doubt I could do that 162 games every year plus spring training plus all the travel and packing and unpacking and being away from family on and on. Not easy

 

[CobbWebb71]

Who is this guy? He seems financially well off.

Volstylexx?
He’s a jet setting, multi millionaire playboy, who made his fortune in plus size lingerie.
That’s who.

 

[lilesrt]

Volstylexx?
He’s a jet setting, multi millionaire playboy, who made his fortune in plus size lingerie.
That’s who.

HaHa! What?

 

[Volmeister]

Baggarly, The Athletic reporter who initially broke the story said in an interview that Drew Gilbert was a major factor for Giants interest in CTV. He confirmed that the Giants didn’t leak the news of offering the job to CTV. He was adamant that this didn’t come from the Giants. As I’ve said, there’s no doubt this leak came from Jimmy Sexton.

Drew Gilberts impact? He batted .190 in 39 games. WTF

 

[patrick]

Absolutely. But I’m not trying to win likes. I want to be wrong annd Tony stay. Let’s not forget that just days ago, a lot that was dismissed as “rumors.” Now it’s being mentioned by the media.
I heard the stuff about NIl and revenue apportionment months ago. Nobody believed me.

Interesting TN women’s basketball took a 7 million dollar loss in 2023-2024 Fiscal Year per Adam Sparks. Did not cite the number for TN baseball.

 

[Rizzo924]

If the individuals I'm referring to wanted the credit for it, then they'd make it public I'm sure. So I'm not going to air out publicly something they might not want known for whatever reason they don't want it known. I will tell you the same individuals supporting Football, basketball, and to a degree the other sports, are contributing to baseball. Some of those names are well-known and I wouldn't be breaking any news. You've seen them sitting at games.

I know that sounds like a cop-out, but I'm just trying to be considerate.

I understand. Was worth a shot. I figure it's the same names someone else responded to your post with.

 

[Adam Sandler]

That’s not gonna be a reality check.

I’d fully expect that a college baseball coach given the opportunity to manage an MLB team would jump at that opportunity. Again, that’s an unheard of thing. I’d be more shocked if a college HC turned it down.

As for who does/doesn’t get to campus, TV would get his fair share. But that’s the risk that every college coach knows going into recruiting those guys.

I don’t believe this. But maybe I’m just more calculated than others (I don’t believe this either). Being a manager of an mlb club in and of itself, don’t believe that “any” coach would just jump at that, especially not one that had the college baseball world in the palm of their hand. I’d have to believe it was a place I would (not could) win a World Series at. And I just don’t know that a club (short of one doing or proposing to do what the dodgers did) could convince me that was a reality to be expected. Maybeee the Yankees or Red Sox due to their prestige could make me drink that koolaid, but I just don’t see it.

 

[Christian Lowe]

Interesting TN women’s basketball took a 7 million dollar loss in 2023-2024 Fiscal Year per Adam Sparks. Did not cite the number for TN baseball.

Unfortunately that sport can lose money because we have a history in it. Baseball we have no history, it’s just a new money pit. So they don’t care

 

[knoxvol52]

Why do I have to hate Danny White if I want Vitello to stay?
Where is this narrative coming from?
Hell, I hope they both remain and continue to be very successful at UT.
This whole having to choose a side thing is weird.
I bet some of you would make Emmy winning, daytime soap opera writers, if you’d only quit your day job.

 

[WaywardVol]

Interesting TN women’s basketball took a 7 million dollar loss in 2023-2024 Fiscal Year per Adam Sparks. Did not cite the number for TN baseball.

I know this puts me in the minority, but if you said you’ll never get to watch any women’s sports again, I wouldn’t lose a minutes rest. The only one who feels stronger about this is my wife.

 

[MarcoVol]

I don’t believe this. But maybe I’m just more calculated than others (I don’t believe this either). Being a manager of an mlb club in and of itself, don’t believe that “any” coach would just jump at that, especially not one that had the college baseball world in the palm of their hand. I’d have to believe it was a place I would (not could) win a World Series at. And I just don’t know that a club (short of one doing or proposing to do what the dodgers did) could convince me that was a reality to be expected. Maybeee the Yankees or Red Sox due to their prestige could make me drink that koolaid, but I just don’t see it.

Dudes like TV believe anywhere they coach they can win at the highest level. Cut from a different cloth than majority of people. Not surprised at all he’d want to take this test.

 

[WaywardVol]

I don’t believe this. But maybe I’m just more calculated than others (I don’t believe this either). Being a manager of an mlb club in and of itself, don’t believe that “any” coach would just jump at that, especially not one that had the college baseball world in the palm of their hand. I’d have to believe it was a place I would (not could) win a World Series at. And I just don’t know that a club (short of one doing or proposing to do what the dodgers did) could convince me that was a reality to be expected. Maybeee the Yankees or Red Sox due to their prestige could make me drink that koolaid, but I just don’t see it.

Yep. this is just a myth. There’s a path to coach in the majors and it’s not through college. The two positions appeal to people for very different reasons. This idea that any college coach would jump is just nonsense. It shows what a fundamental lack of understanding people have for the differences in the game. There is literally no coach you can point to who exclusively coached in college, made a direct jump to professional sports and had success.

Tony could literally be the Saban of college baseball. Unfortunately, he has an AD that’s more focused on resurrecting lady’s basketball.

 

[chuckiepoo]

This.. TV makes Tennessee baseball attractive.

Whoa, now. Don't leave out Carla..

 

[Adam Sandler]

Absolutely. But I’m not trying to win likes. I want to be wrong annd Tony stay. Let’s not forget that just days ago, a lot that was dismissed as “rumors.” Now it’s being mentioned by the media.
I heard the stuff about NIl and revenue apportionment months ago. Nobody believed me.

I’m prepared to eat crow and say my assumptions about what was most likely to happen were wrong.

And maybe rumblings and rumors are true every now and then, and those very well could be, but I don’t ultimately believe they are going to cause this scenario to go down as some (and you) are promoting. That seems, irrational to me that it could be THAT bad of a set of current circumstances.

And I REALLY don’t like people feeding a rumor about a beloved coach leaving (whether for personal gain, or to fuel grievances against the best AD in the country, or to “lighten the blow” for others - least likely motivator imo).


Have I mentioned I don’t like rumors?

 

[patrick]

Unfortunately that sport can lose money because we have a history in it. Baseball we have no history, it’s just a new money pit. So they don’t care

Not really a money pit. The sport is growing rapidly and did not lose a tremendous amount.

 

[Christian Lowe]

Not really a money pit. The sport is growing rapidly and did not lose a tremendous amount.

I saying how they view it, not me

 

[Adam Sandler]

Yep. this is just a myth. There’s a path to coach in the majors and it’s not through college. The two positions appeal to people for very different reasons. This idea that any college coach would jump is just nonsense. It shows what a fundamental lack of understanding people have for the differences in the game. There is literally no coach you can point to who exclusively coached in college, made a direct jump to professional sports and had success.

Tony could literally be the Saban of college baseball. Unfortunately, he has an AD that’s more focused on resurrecting lady’s basketball.

I don’t believe this to the extent that it would cause this scenario to go down. The amount of money that’s been raised and committed to our baseball program says the exact opposite.