Giants giving Astros coach 2nd managerial interview
Astros bench coach Joe Espada will return to San Francisco after the World Series for a second inperson interview for the Giants’ managerial job, another indication that the 44yearold onetime A’s prospect is a leading candidate to replace Bruce Bochy.
The news came from Espada, who revealed Sunday he has a second interview with ownership planned, according to Chandler Rome, who covers the Astros for The Chronicle’s sister paper in Houston.
Espada first spoke to Giants officials by phone before flying to San Francisco between Games 2 and 3 of the World Series.
Espada told the Houston Chronicle he met with Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, President and CEO Larry Baer and other officials for about 41⁄2 hours Thursday.
“I thought it went really well,” Espada said. “Farhan and his group (have) a pretty good structure over there. A whole bunch of smart people. It sounds like their vision is pretty good and they have some big plans.”
The Giants interviewed at least eight candidates in the first round, which ended with Espada’s visit to San Francisco. Zaidi has begun informing those who will not get a second interview, including Giants thirdbase coach Ron Wotus.
Espada is highly regarded inside and outside the Houston organization. Though he has no managing experience beyond the Puerto Rico winter league, he has been AJ Hinch’s righthand man in the Astros’ dugout during their second title run in three seasons.
Ther 2017 bench coach, Alex Cora, was hired by the Red Sox after Houston’s first World Series title. Cora then led Boston to the 2018 Series championship.
Espada was a middle infielder whom the A’s drafted in 1996. He spent six seasons in the organization, leaving long before Zaidi went to work for Oakland.
Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman