Giants add Alguacil, Nevin to coaching staff

With 1st-, 3rd-base coaches' vacancies filled, San Francisco will turn to alumnus Bonds

November 7th, 2016
Giants GM Bobby Evans says the club is happy to add Jose Alguacil and Phil Nevin to the coaching staff. (Rivercats/AP)

SAN FRANCISCO -- Having filled their first- and third-base coaches' vacancies with Jose Alguacil and Phil Nevin, respectively, the Giants will turn their attention to an alumnus who seems destined to rejoin the organization at some juncture: Barry Bonds.
Club president Larry Baer said Monday that Giants representatives expect to "have coffee in the next week or two and see if there's a match" with the all-time home run leader, who was not rehired as the Miami Marlins' hitting instructor.
Giants officials were discussing possible responsibilities for Bonds early last December when the Marlins suddenly hired him. The move surprised the Giants, who believed that Bonds would not be interested in returning to the itinerant Major League lifestyle.
The Giants won't be asking Bonds to replace Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens, their current hitting instructor, or assistant hitting coach Steve Decker. Manager Bruce Bochy announced days after the 2016 season ended that both would retain their positions for '17.
San Francisco did add Nevin, 45, who replaced Roberto Kelly and played for Bochy during 6 1/2 seasons (1999-2005) with San Diego.
Nevin was a National League All-Star with San Diego in 2001, when he hit .306 with 41 home runs and 126 RBIs. The Astros made him the No. 1 overall selection in the 1992 Draft.
Nevin has managed in the Minors for the past seven seasons after a year as an independent league skipper (2009). He spent his past six years at Triple-A, including 2014-16 with the D-backs' Reno affiliate. Nevin, who compiled a 227-205 record with Reno, reportedly was a finalist for the D-backs' managerial opening that they filled with Torey Lovullo.
Alguacil, who replaced Bill Hayes, has ascended steadily within the Giants system. The 44-year-old spent eight years as a roving Minor League infield instructor and was credited with furthering former third baseman 's defensive improvement.
Alguacil entered the organization's managerial ranks with Double-A Richmond in 2015 and led the Flying Squirrels to a 72-68 record after a 3-17 start. He jumped last season to Triple-A Sacramento, which finished 69-75.
Alguacil's professional playing career included six seasons in the Giants' farm system (1993-98).