Giants reward Bruce Bochy, Brian Sabean with extensions

— -- After three World Series titles in five years, the San Francisco Giants are rewarding general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy.

The Giants announced Friday that Sabean has been promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and will be replaced as general manager by Bobby Evans, who also assumed a senior vice president role with the team.

Bochy and Sabean also received contract extensions through the 2019 season. In addition, Jeremy Shelley will join John Barr and Dick Tidrow as assistant general managers.

"Brian and Bruce form the foundation on which all three championship teams have been built," Giants president and CEO Larry Baer said Friday. "The strength and stability of Giants baseball is a direct reflection of the strength and stability of the partnership of these two men. My top priority this offseason was to ensure that this partnership and our outstanding baseball organization remain intact for years to come."

Sabean was the longest-tenured general manager in baseball, having held the position for 18 seasons. The Giants have reached the playoffs seven times during that span.

"I am thrilled that our group will remain together for the foreseeable future," Sabean said. "There is no finer manager in baseball today than Bruce Bochy. His humble leadership style and brilliant strategic mind is the key to our success on the field. He is no doubt on his way to the Hall of Fame and we are fortunate to have him lead our team."

The 59-year-old Bochy is entering his ninth season with the Giants, with whom he has a 667-629 record and is 34-14 in the postseason. Prior to that, Bochy had a 951-975 mark over 12 seasons with the Padres.

"I couldn't have a better situation," Bochy said. "I am extremely proud to be a part of this great franchise and I look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the organization to build on the success of the last several years."

Even opposing NL West foes have recognized what Bochy means to the Giants' success.

"You know the challenge with beating the Giants? It's Bruce Bochy," Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart told ESPN.com in November. "He's the key to that team. We would need him to be kidnapped and taken away someplace for us to have an opportunity. It can be done. But when you have a guy like that leading a baseball team, it makes it difficult."