Farhan Zaidi has a new boss, and he happens to be one of the most iconic players in Giants franchise history.
Buster Posey bought into Giants ownership this week, becoming the first former player to join the board of directors.
The three-time World Series champion said he won’t be taking on a major role in baseball operations or personnel decisions, but will rather act as a thought leader and advisor to CEO Larry Baer, chairman Greg Johnson and Zaidi.
San Francisco’s president of baseball operations thinks that might undersell Posey’s role.
“It’s really exciting,” Zaidi said Thursday on KNBR’s Tolbert & Copes. “It’s funny, I was just listening to that soundbite about how ‘Oh, I’m not going to be in the trenches.’ We’re going to drag him into the trenches. I’m not sure he’s going to get away that easily.”
Zaidi added that he’d use Posey as a “sounding board” when the catcher was still playing. Johnson had said he consulted with Posey during this winter’s labor negotiations.
“To formalize the relationship is great,” Zaidi said. “It gives me even more of an excuse to badger him on stuff, which I’m excited about. I love being able to run stuff by him. I know he talked about helping us recruit. It’s going to be a great arrangement.”
Posey’s perspective as a former player will help him provide input. Zaidi cited specifically things like pitch sequencing as a front-office topic Posey may have fresh takes on.
The former catcher will be involved in meetings and big-picture discussions about the franchise, starting with this offseason — one Zaidi has repeatedly said is a big one for SF.
Zaidi lauded Posey’s baseball knowledge and inquisitiveness. His thoughtful, reasoned nature is a trait manager Gabe Kapler has commended as well.
“Never been around a player who raised my senses more when he asks a question,” Zaidi said. “Buster’s got this way about him where he’s not going to come in hot on a subject. He’s kind of going to lead in with a question, get you talking, and eventually he’s smart enough to guide the conversation where he wants it to go.”
Zaidi has a new board member to consult with, but he’s now without his right-hand man, Scott Harris, who departed for the top job in Detroit this week. Harris’ promotion is a bummer “personally and professionally” for Zaidi, he said, but the Giants supported the executive in his upward career pursuit.
Catch Tolbert & Copes weekdays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. on KNBR 104.5 / 680 and streaming live on KNBR.com.