Astros bench coach Joe Espada is set for a second interview for the Giants’ managerial vacancy, as first reported by Ken Davidoff of the New York Post (via Twitter). He’ll meet with San Francisco brass after the conclusion of the World Series. Espada’s first interview with the organization came on Thursday’s travel day between Games 2 and 3 and lasted a little more than four hours, as Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic details (subscription required).
Espada expressed optimism to Rome about his chances of securing the Giants’ position. After meeting with GM Farhan Zaidi, CEO Larry Baer and members of the organziation’s analytics department Thursday, Espada anticipates his second interview will include more involvement with ownership. The 44-year-old has been a popular candidate for interviews the past two seasons, and he was reportedly on the radar for the Cubs’ and Pirates’ jobs this month. It appears, though, that San Francisco offers Espada’s best hope of landing a head position this offseason, as he tells Rome he has no other interviews on tap. The Cubs have since tabbed David Ross, but Pittsburgh’s position remains unresolved.
Espada succeeded Alex Cora as A.J. Hinch’s bench coach after the 2017 season. Prior to that, he’d worked with the Marlins and Yankees in various coaching and front office roles. His only prior managerial experience came in 2012 in Puerto Rican winter ball, although teams certainly value his recent coaching experience with successful teams in New York and Houston.
The Giants have cast a wide net in their search for Bruce Bochy’s replacement. Royals quality control coach Pedro Grifol, former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, A’s quality control coach Mark Kotsay, Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro, Cubs first base coach Will Venable, and internal candidates Hensley Meulens and Ron Wotus have all joined Espada in interviewing.
You can track all of the league’s managerial news and rumors here.
Get it done SF Giants. Lets do this.
This looks like the right move, new fresh out of the org perspective from a recently successful team. His ability to be bi-lingual will bring a new twist as well as the team has recent added a lot of latin ball players
The best choice fell on their lap. Padres, Cubs and Mets dropped the ball passing on Espada.
Hmmm. The Mets had to have found out that he wanted more than minimum wage to manage thus, a guy everyone else really liked hasn’t gotten a sniff from Brodie and Jeffy.
Get it done Zaidi!
Done! All but the Dotted Line. Like the choice!
I voted him as a wild card.
When his name came up. He clearly was a favorite. Considering the team he coaches on. His resume. And the other candidates available. I might say as soon as his name came up, I was thinking he was the favorite.
I know Larry Baer likes to jump into things. The Stanton and Harper deal. Plus many more thru the years. And I was always on the fence with Kotsay. A fair enough name but not long term I don’t think.
I was thinking Muelens as a safety net in case the other candidates are not good enough. Because he’s here. You know your tied to a lot of bad contracts for a few years. Maybe best, if must go the safest route. Instead of someone way off just to do it because you need a manager. Those are always the worst hires.
Espada I’m gaining traction on. But I’d be curious to see how he would fit in with Farhan. And the culture. . . Is he a nice enough guy to fit in with the players. Then again, A lot of the old players will be gone via trade, hopefully. Or just end of deals coming to fruition…
This is the most transition I’ve ever seen in this franchise since Sabean. My favorite guy since they hired him.
I too am learning how this new front office works. But with Larry Baer still there. I’m not too far off in the team still wanting to win, Without tearing it down for a few years. . .
– Also, you have to look at free agency. The Giants seem to be in on Bum and Smith. Probably a few other types. . . Would a Muelens safety hire be enough to entice these free agents to sign here.? Probably Not.
A Name Manager is probably needed to acquire such free agents. Even your own. Who would want to come to a team that’s cashing in a few years just to maintain status quo. Win alittle, while the contracts come off the book. They’d be itching for .500 at best. While showing the fan base they are close enough to a wild card. It’s good but not a great situation.
Also considering the contracts they do have. They need to move a few of those if they can Period.
But I don’t see them as a terrible team if they can balance good pitching and offense. I sure don’t want to see the team 62-100 for three years. That sucks.
Also, Espada would be a change in culture. WITH Farhan. Would they be able to work together. Or would Espada want Too much power with the clubhouse and roster. Farhan’s a nice guy. Larry Baer might create a messed up situation there. It would have to be Farhan’s hiring all the way… Can Espada work with the Front Office Team…
All tricky maneuvering. More than just do this do that. Giants sucks blah blah blah.
It’s Culture Team. Roster. Hierarchy. Bench Coaches. Trades, for now. Free agents. Fan Base. Money. !!! A lot of factors. . . All with the focus of Winning… If they don’t win or build towards winning then they’re sunk.
But as a fan, I know the Giants are a Winning Organization. That’s why they hired Farhan in the first place. The hottest name out there. And are looking again into Espada another hot name.
All the other same Giants are bad talk on here. HA. You wish you had a team committed to winning. Even when they lose a few seasons. They still have eyes forward… Learning from there mistakes. And growing with the times. . . Those are the trademarks of Great Organizations…
Bum and Smith will sign with SF if they offer the most money. Who they hire as manager will have absolutely zero effect on it.
Well at least I gave reasons. Instead of a blanketed statement. That’s sort of obvious.
But to say a New Hire Manager has nothing to do with free agency. That’s a joke.
And considering the current state of affairs in the SF Organization. How much they’re willing to spend. You just kind of threw that out there. .
Not a whole lot to judge by. A safe comment indeed.
Wasn’t intended to be a safe or unsafe comment. Just a correct one.
If the Giants want to bring Bum and/or Smith back, they know what to do already. Who they hire as manager will have no bearing on the issue.
Uh yeah. Like I said. Safe comment.
Very obvious they pay the most they get them both right.
You added nothing to what you said. And made a blanketed statement to begin with. Not a whole lot to share. Save your comments for next time.
You are wrong, any ball player wants to play for a good manager. I witnessed ball player after ball player that came to the Giants say that a main reason they came was because of Bochy. The next manager will have a big impact on who wants to come play. Money IS a big factor, but winning is too, and if you have a bad coaching staff, players will pass.
I’m not wrong. You are. The Giants could hire me as their manager and Bumgarner and Smith will still sign there as long as they offer the most money. Giants fans on here have said for years that Bumgarner is in love with SF and is all but guaranteed to stay anyway.
@JayRyder you were saying that they would take paycuts to sign elsewhere if the Giants don’t sign a “Name Manager.” They won’t.
I love the Astros, but honestly know little about Espada. Sounds like he’s a hot commodity like Alex Cora. Good for Espada. The Giants are a few years away, but they’re a classy organization.
After all the Disastro years where the team was endlessly mocked, I love that they’re front office is so coveted. Except Brandon Taubman.
The Giants are not looking for the best manager in 2020.
They’re looking for a manager that will be patient with youngsters coming on board, and be a fit with they roster they intend to have in 3 years.
¿Por que no los dos?
The Giants have not hired a GM yet, or am I wrong? Isn’t the cart before the horse to hire a manager before you name a GM? There would have to be buy-in from the new GM. Of course, the two hirings could be conducted simultaneously, but that doesn’t seem to be part of the conversation in recent days. I don’t understand what the Giants are doing