Where The Giants’ $3 Million Manager Ranks On MLB’s List Of Highest Paid Leaders

Tony Vitello will be the next San Francisco Giants manager. The Tennessee head baseball coach will make the jump from college to the pros in 2026.

He is set to make a boatload of money in the process. Vitello will immediately rank in the top half of the league in terms of pay.

While contract details aren’t set in stone, the belief is that he’ll be paid north of $3 million when all is said and done. That will be the most expensive contract for a first-year coach in MLB history.

Highest paid MLB managers

Vitello has no experience at the professional level. The Giants are taking a major risk, hoping that his style and success translate from the NCAA.

That success, however, has been evident as both an assistant at Missouri, TCU, and Arkansas, as well as in his head coaching role with the Vols.

San Francisco believes that Vitello will be the face of the future. It is offering a payday on par with some of the top managers in the game.

Take a look at where he ranks below.

*Bruce Bochy, Ron Washington, Mike Shildt, Brian Snitker, and Bob Melvin all made $4 million or more in 2025. They have been removed from consideration as they will not return to their positions in 2026.

Dave Roberts

Salary – $8.1 million

Roberts signed an extension after winning his second World Series title. He is now the highest paid manager in the MLB.

With the Los Angeles Dodgers, he’s gone 944-575 across ten seasons. Outside of a COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, he’s won more than 90 games every year.

Craig Counsell

Salary – $8 million

Prior to Roberts’ recent renegotiation, Counsell held the top spot. He signed a five-year deal worth $40 million with the Chicago Cubs, good for $8 million per season.

Across two seasons, he’s posted 175-149. That included a 92-win campaign in 2025 to make the playoffs. Prior to his current stint, he led the NL Central Division rival Brewers.

Alex Cora

Salary – $7.3 million

Cora has been with the Red Sox since 2018. He recently signed an extension that will run through 2027. The Red Sox will pay the manager more than $7 million annually with that deal.

Since landing in Boston, Cora has posted an overall record of 610-524. He won the World Series in his debut and made the postseason in 2025.

Torey Lovullo

Salary – $5 million

Lovullo led the Diamondbacks to the World Series in 2023. He was rewarded with a new contract that will take him through the 2026 season.

Lovullo has been in Arizona since 2017. He’s gone 664-692 across nine years. He is currently paid $5 million per season.

Aaron Boone

Salary – $5 million

Boone was paid $4.5 million in 2025. That annual pay is expected to increase in the years to come. The New York Yankees are to pay Boone $5 million in 2026 and $5.5 million in 2027.

That bump will push him up this list in the very near future. He’s proven to be worthy of the price tag. His teams have gone 697-497 across eight seasons. That includes a World Series appearance in 2024.

Stephen Vogt

Salary – $4 million

Vogt has been the manager of the Cleveland Guardians for the last two seasons. He’s 180-143 in that time. He’s made the postseason in both campaigns.

Vogt made $4 million last season. He is expected to receive a contract extension from the franchise this offseason. Depending on how those talks go, he might just move up this list in 2026.

Tony Vitello

Salary – estimated $3 million

Vitello would be the MLB’s 7th-highest paid manager if the season started today. He is expected to make north of $3 million in his debut.

Had this hire been made at the start of last season, Vitello’s number would’ve been the 13th-highest salary. Depending on those replacement hires, he could slide down the list before season’s start.

Still, the salary is quite high given the circumstances. It’s much higher than the next closest manager, Kevin Cash, who is paid $1.66 million. Vitello will look to prove the Giants right in his debut.