Giants will be competing for skipper with Padres
ATLANTA >> Talk of the Giants’ search to replace Bruce Bochy is expected to dominate the month of October in San Francisco, but the San Diego Padres threw a wrench into the organization’s plans on Saturday.
The Padres announced the firing of fourth-year manager Andy Green before the Giants lost 8-1 to the Braves in Atlanta. Green had two seasons left on his contract, but general manager A.J. Preller opted to move on from Green after the Padres fell 16 games under .500.
San Diego’s decision to fire Green and search for a replacement will lead to speculation regarding Bochy’s next move, but it will also complicate the Giants’ hiring process.
Bochy has insisted he’s satisfied with his decision to retire at the end of the season and isn’t thinking about his future, but he’s still a popular figure in San Diego.
“I’m not second-guessing myself or having second thoughts,” Bochy said. “We’re not happy with where we’re at or whatever, but these guys have made it a really enjoyable year and I appreciate that.”
If Bochy returns to the dugout within the next few seasons, San Diego would be viewed as a preferential destination considering he still lives in the area in the offseason.
Bochy declined to discuss the possibility on Saturday.
“I’m not even going there,” Bochy said. “Again, I’m concentrating here right now and doing what I’m supposed to do. That’s the last thing on my mind right now.”
It’s unlikely Bochy would throw his own name into the hat, but if the Padres come calling next month, it wouldn’t shock people close to Bochy if he entertains the idea of returning to San Diego.
Regardless of whether Bochy emerges as a serious candidate in San Diego or not, the Giants now have competition from within their own division to hire the best available managerial prospect. The Padres’ job has plenty of perks considering San Diego’s young core is loaded with star power while ownership has shown in recent offseasons that it’s willing to pursue high-profile free agents.
The Padres are in better position to contend right away than the Giants, which could lead a top candidate to spurn the Giants and join a foe inside the division.
Fortunately for San Francisco, the Padres are likely to be the only other NL West team searching for a manager. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the Rockies’ Bud Black and the Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo have all signed extensions within the last year.
The Giants have had months to prepare for their upcoming interview process and have already had internal discussions about which candidates they plan to pursue. An executive in Farhan Zaidi’s position has certainly prepared for the possibility the Padres could be searching for a manager, but San Diego may not be the only other desirable job to open up.
If the Chicago Cubs miss the playoffs, manager Joe Maddon may not return in 2020. With experience leading analytics-driven organizations, Maddon may immediately emerge on the radar of any of the teams that will end up hiring new managers.
The Giants only have control over their own search, but the Padres’ decision to fire Green won’t make their hiring process any easier.