A new report claims the San Francisco Giants could replace fired manager Gabe Kapler with a counterpart from inside the division.
After four solid seasons leading the San Francisco Giants bench, including a 107-win showing in 2021, the organization decided that they had hit a ceiling with Gabe Kapler as manager and fired the 48-year-old with three games left in the 2023 MLB season.
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Despite winning 50 more games than he lost as manager, the Giants felt they needed fresh ideas to inject a new culture into a team that has struggled to play .500 ball over the last two seasons. There has been various speculation about the potential personalities that could fill the coveted position, however, the answer to the question may be close by.
Bob Melvin could be a top contender for San Francisco Giants manager job
On Sunday, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale gave an update on the damaged relationship between San Diego Padres manager AJ Preller and manager Bob Melvin, and how that partnership is likely to come to an end at a meeting next week. However, he also suggested that the Pad’s trash could be the Giants’ treasure.
“The Padres can provide permission for the Giants to interview and hire Melvin, who spent 11 years managing in Oakland and three years working with Giants president Farhan Zaidi, and be off the hook for his $4 million salary in 2024,” Nightengale wrote. “The Giants likely would provide Melvin a three-year contract for about $12 million if they hire him. That way, Melvin will be ecstatic to be free of Preller and return to the Bay Area while Preller can promote bench coach Ryan Flaherty or perhaps coach Mike Shildt from their staff.”
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Melvin has 20 years of managerial experience and helped lead the Padres to the NLCS in 2022. However, the expensive roster was a massive disappointment this season. Yet, some blame the poor results on a toxic disconnect between the coaching staff and Preller’s management style.
He has earned manager of the year honors on three occasions, 2007, 2012, and 2018, and has a 1,516-1,425 career record.