The San Francisco Giants are beginning to narrow down their managerial search and it appears as though Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada has emerged as one of the favorites.
TheSan Francisco Giantswill say goodbye to managerBruce Bochythis offseason and further welcome in a new era of Giants baseball. And it appears as though Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada is among the team’s top replacement options.
It was reported on Wednesday byMLB Network’s Jon Heymanthat the Giants had spoken to Espada on the phone in an interview with the Astros staff member. As we know, Espada’s schedule is pretty full right now as Houston gets set for Game 3 of the World Series on Friday.
For that reason, it’s been difficult for teams to get in contact with him. However, it seems as though the Giants have been able to work something out.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsandreported earlier on Thursday that the Giants were expected to meet with Espada in person later in the day after originally speaking with him on the phone.
This is big news for a Giants team that had been connected to names such asMark KotsayandWill Venablein recent weeks.
Even bigger news is the fact that theChicago Cubs have officially settled their managerial searchwith the hiring of former big-league catcherDavid Ross. Espada was considered a front-runner for the position making that hire good news for San Francisco.
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The 44-year-old doesn’t have managerial experience at the MLB level, but he’s essentially done everything else to this point. He’s worked as a hitting coach, bench coach, infield coach, third-base coach, he’s managed in the minors, and he’s even led the Puerto Rican national team in each of the last two World Baseball Classics.
Espada even has front office experience having served as a special assistant to New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman during the 2014 season. Out of the individuals who the Giants have been connected to so far, he’s certainly one of the most qualified.
Apart from the aforementioned Kotsay and Venable, the Giants have interview internal candidates inHensley MeulensandRon Wotusand external candidates inGabe Kapler, Pedro Grifol, and Matt Quatraro.
Of the seven, Kapler is the only one with prior managerial experience at the MLB level having spent the past two seasons as the skipper of the Philadelphia Phillies. And it’s not as if he found too much success during his time in the ‘City of Brotherly Love.’
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Joe Espada represents one of the most intriguing options in a pretty crowded market and his second interview with the club could ultimately determine if the Giants decide on him as the right fit. Based on other reports, the aforementioned Kotsaystill remains the favorite.
If the Giants do decide on Espada and he chooses them over other open jobs with the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals, then they will have to wait until after the postseason is over to make the official announcement.
But for Joe Espada, the Giants might decide that it’s worth the wait.
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