MLB Manager Rumors 11-9
With free agency ready to begin it’s time to look at the latest MLB manager rumors. Let’s recap what has happened to this point. There were eight MLB manager openings and six positions have been filled. Three of the new managers hired had previous managerial experience.
Joe Maddon moved from Chicago to the West Coast. Maddon is now the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels. Joe Girardi left the announce booth and was named the new manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Mike Matheny was named the new manager of the Kansas City Royals. Matheny is now the second manager to lead both the Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. Whitey Herzog is the other manager to accomplish this.
Carlos Beltran was hired by the New York Mets and David Ross was hired by the Chicago Cubs. Beltran and Ross both played for the teams they will now manage. The San Diego Padres hired Jayce Tingler as their next manager. Tingler was the Major League Player Development Field Coordinator for the Texas Rangers.
That leaves only two openings left. Let’s look at the latest rumors involving those teams.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are now down to three candidates. Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada is one of those finalists. Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro is the second finalist. The third finalist is former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler. Kapler is a favorite of Giants President Farhan Zaidi. Espada is someone who has interviewed very well with multiple teams.
Joe Espada, Gabe Kapler and Matt Quatraro appear to be the 3 finalists for #SFGiants manager @JohnSheaHey had the names. Here’s a feature on Espada https://t.co/136LU1NIN3
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 7, 2019
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates offseason has been just as messy as their second half of the season was. Manager Clint Hurdle was fired in a complete overhaul of the management of the team. The Pirates are also looking for a new General Manager.
The Pirates have talked to nine different candidates about their open manager position. Three candidates have emerged as the favorites.
One candidate is Derek Shelton. Shelton is the bench coach of the Minnesota Twins. Jeff Banister who is currently in the Pirates organization is another top candidate. Banister is a former manager of the Texas Rangers. Mark Kotsay is considered a dark horse for the position. Kotsay is currently the Oakland Athletics quality control coach.
Have heard Banister, Shelton and Kotsay were the favorites. All three are still available. https://t.co/6JQXZZcwGH
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) November 3, 2019
Outlook
Last week the World Series was completed. So it is strange that the Giants and Pirates are still seeking their new coach. The first round of player movement has already begun. This is where teams or players decide to exercise their contract options. This is also where all teams have to decide if they will make a qualifying offer to pending free agents.
Wouldn’t you want the new manager to be a part of these decisions? With the Pirates, they have to fill their open General Manager position.
The word in San Francisco is the Giants are rumored to be making a decision in the coming week. As for the Pirates, they will hire the General Manager before their new manager. Time is ticking and the flood gates of free agency are fast approaching.
