SF Giants Rumors: Astros' Joe Espada to Interview for Manager Job in Person
Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada will interview for the San Francisco Giants' managerial vacancy in person in the Bay Area on Thursday, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Feinsand noted Espada has previously spoken to the Giants about the job via phone.
Espada spent time with the Florida/Miami Marlins as a third-base coach from 2010 to 2013, and he later assumed the same position for the New York Yankees from 2015 to 2017.
He has been Houston's bench coach since 2018.
Despite having no prior MLB managerial experience, the 44-year-old has garnered interest from a couple of teams. Not only are the Giants interested, but Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Espada was a candidate for the Chicago Cubs' and Pittsburgh Pirates' openings as well.
Chicago hired former catcher David Ross as its manager on Wednesday, per Heyman.
Though losing Espada would be a blow to his coaching staff, Astros skipper A.J. Hinch believes the bench coach has what it takes to manage, per Kelly Crull of NBC Sports Chicago:
"He's a well-rounded baseball man. He's been in a few places and so he's seen and done virtually everything to prepare himself to manage. From coaching in Miami to being with the Yankees on successful teams, to being a bench coach here. He's been around decision-making, he's been around high-end winning and he's intellectually curious.
"He's organized, diligent, he's very fair to people, he's a good family man. All attributes that help you build something in the clubhouse that ultimately leads to winning. The only thing untested in him is managing. And any time you talk about someone without managerial experience, I think you're just going to have to learn on the job, period. There's been plenty of examples of guys that have done it and Joe is really good. The potential could be very quick for him. A lot of teams have asked about him."
Espada missed out on one job, but he reportedly remains in the mix for at least two others. The Astros' run deep into October has complicated matters for Espada, though he has been able to find a way to use downtime to participate in interviews.
Thursday represents a travel day for the Astros as the 2019 World Series shifts from Houston to Washington, D.C. Game 3 will be played at Nationals Park on Friday at 8:07 p.m. ET.
