MLB Winter Meetings notes: Giants part ways with popular staff member

Share

LAS VEGAS -- When the Giants fired their general manager and their strength coach before the end of the regular season, employees throughout the organization prepared for a bloodbath. 

That didn't end up happening, but there still will be additional changes behind the scenes.

Chad Chop, who served a do-everything role in the clubhouse and partnered with Shawon Dunston to handle replays, was not retained. Bob Tewksbury, the mental skills coach for two seasons, also was let go. 

The Giants already have replaced Carl Kochan, the strength coach let go on the final homestand. Brad Lawson, previously the organization's minor league strength and conditioning coordinator, will take that role. The rest of the training staff is returning intact. 

Chop's departure is notable for a couple of reasons. He was an expert with the replay computer system, and the Giants generally did well on reviews. Chop joined the Giants in a fascinating way -- the former minor leaguer started training with Hunter Pence early in his Giants career and initially joined the team as a left-handed batting practice pitcher. Pence recommended Chop to the Giants. Over time, Chop's role expanded, and he was popular in the clubhouse.

Here are some more nuggets from the first full day of the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings ... 

--- Former Giant Brett Pill was among the scouts walking around the Mandalay Bay lobby Monday morning. Pill is in his second year working for the Kia Tigers, a South Korean team he played for late in his career. He's close to getting his degree, too, after going back to school.

--- Casey Kelly and Pierce Johnson both have signed to play overseas next season, and you can expect that to happen more with veterans in the coming offseasons. Multiple agents noted how hard it now is for non-established big leaguers to find jobs as they approach or cross 30. Almost every team prefers to go young -- the Giants were a holdout, but that will change under Farhan Zaidi -- and give those shots to players in their early twenties who have more upside -- and also make far, far less. Playing in Asia is a lucrative way for veterans such as Kelly and Johnson to continue playing when big league opportunities dry up.

Kelly is just 29 and Johnson is 27. Tommy Joseph, a former Giants prospect, also recently signed to play in Asia. He's 27. Chase d'Arnaud, 31, is another former Giant said to be on the radars of South Korean and Japanese teams this offseason.

--- Zaidi said the Giants, who currently have five open roster spots, might take a player in the Rule 5 Draft for a second consecutive year. 

"I could see us taking somebody," he said. "We haven't had our specific meetings about it, but we have enough roles on the roster that we're looking to fill, and we certainly like some of the players that will potentially be available."

Last December, the front office selected hard-throwing reliever Julian Fernandez. He had Tommy John surgery before ever pitching for the Giants and now is a Miami Marlin.

--- If you missed any of the news from Monday, the Giants added an outfielder to their roster, Zaidi believes he'll add two more, and he explained why Hunter Strickland and Gorkys Hernandez now are looking for jobs.

Contact Us