LAS VEGAS–As teams around baseball embraced a radical new pitching strategy in 2018, Giants manager Bruce Bochy was quick to voice his skepticism.
Would Bochy consider using a reliever, or “opener,” to start a game and record just three outs before the Giants dipped into their bullpen? The longest-tenured manager in baseball didn’t exactly buy into the idea.
Under new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, Bochy will be asked to adapt.
On the second day of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, Zaidi said the Giants would be open to embracing alternative pitching methods including the “opener” concept to navigate the rigors of a 162-game schedule.