The Giants have sought and received permission to interview Padres coach Bob Melvin for the leadership publication in San Francisco, The Athletic has learned, potentially paving the way for Melvin to join a National League rival after a tumultuous season in San Diego West to join. According to league sources briefed on the situation who are not authorized to speak publicly, Melvin immediately becomes the Giants’ leading candidate to replace manager Gabe Kapler.
AJ Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, declined to comment, as did Melvin, who is under contract through the 2024 season. Although the two men announced earlier this month that they would return to their respective roles with San Diego, there was widespread belief in the industry that their situation was more complicated.
There was uncertainty in San Diego about the Giants’ efforts to replace Kapler, who was fired three games before the end of the season. Now Melvin has emerged as the favorite in San Francisco. League sources said he received assurances that he would be a top candidate before agreeing to participate in the interview process.
The Padres’ advance to the 2022 National League Championship Series obscured stylistic differences between Preller and Melvin, then in his first year with the organization. But when the Padres collapsed during a deeply disappointing 2023 season, those differences led to a major discrepancy that rival officials called one of the worst-kept secrets in baseball. Owner Peter Seidler’s desire was the driving force behind the organization’s public announcement to retain both Preller and Melvin after they posted an 82-80 record, according to team officials familiar with the situation.
“I think these are all personal and private matters,” Preller said in early October when asked if the Padres would allow Melvin to pursue other job opportunities. “We never really comment on these issues in terms of other clubs and the interest in one of our employees. … He’s under contract with Bob. He is our manager. I think we’re both excited for the offseason.”
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has already interviewed four internal candidates and sought permission from several others. But Melvin’s availability was a huge draw to the entire process.
Melvin, a Bay Area native and former Giants catcher, worked with Zaidi in Oakland for three years when the former managed the A’s and the latter served as their assistant GM. Melvin, a three-time manager of the year who turns 62 this month, is also well respected by key members of the Giants’ ownership group.
The Giants began their formal process earlier this month when they interviewed four internal candidates: bench coach Kai Correa, third base coach Mark Hallberg, assistant coach Alyssa Nakken and special assistant Ron Wotus.
The Giants’ list of known outside prospects is full of former catchers. Earlier this week, club officials interviewed Seattle Mariners bullpen and quality control coach Stephen Vogt, a former A’s catcher who played for Melvin.
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According to the New York Post, they have expressed interest in speaking with Boston Red Sox manager Jason Varitek. Varitek, who spent his entire 15-year catching career with the Red Sox, served in a hybrid coaching/front office role from 2012 to 2020 before joining Boston’s coaching staff as game planning coordinator.
San Francisco officials also invited former Giants catcher Nick Hundley to interview for the job. Hundley, now special assistant to Texas Rangers GM Chris Young, told The Athletic that he had long conversations with Zaidi as well as minority owner Buster Posey and was strongly considering throwing his hat in the ring with an organization he deeply respect. But Hundley ultimately declined, saying his current situation with the Rangers was a better fit for him and his young family.
Melvin, of course, is another former catcher who played for seven major league teams over his 10-year career – including the Giants from 1986 to 1988.
The Padres could have several incentives to give the Giants access to him.
After regular arguments with Melvin, Preller may want a manager who better suits his style of work. The manager has at least one potential successor on staff; Padres bench coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Flaherty, 37, is considered a potential future manager and Preller’s favorite. That perception was reinforced in early 2022 when the Padres denied Flaherty, then a quality control coach, permission to interview for the Mets’ bench coach role, citing the timing of New York’s request. Another member of San Diego’s coaching staff, former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, is believed to be interested in coaching again.
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Preller also might not be able to fire another manager. The executive has already fired four managers (including former interim manager Pat Murphy), an unusual number for a GM who has only had two successful full seasons since 2015, both with Melvin as manager. If Melvin gets the Giants job, Preller could present his exit as a voluntary rather than an involuntary decision.
Finally, the Padres appear to be trying to cut costs across the organization after spending more than $250 million in payroll in a season, failing to make the playoffs and seeing the collapse of their regional sports network. According to club officials, the target for next year’s payroll, subject to any changes, is about $200 million. Melvin is one of the highest-paid managers in baseball with a salary of $4 million in 2024, a liability that would pass to the Giants if they poached him.
It’s unclear whether the Padres would seek compensation if Melvin moves within the NL West. In 2006, San Diego received no compensation when Bruce Bochy, who had one year left on his contract at the time, was able to go to San Francisco, where he led the Giants to three World Series titles. However, there have been examples of swaps involving prominent off-field personnel. Before the 2012 season, the Chicago Cubs acquired a new president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, from the Red Sox by agreeing to trade pitchers Chris Carpenter and Aaron Kurcz. After the 2002 season, the Tampa Bay Rays hired manager Lou Piniella from Seattle and traded outfielder Randy Winn to the Mariners to complete the deal.
A few weeks later, Melvin was named Piniella’s successor in Seattle and began a managerial career that has now spanned 20 seasons in the major leagues. Melvin has publicly indicated that he is willing to either retire after 2024 or extend his term beyond that.
Melvin’s possible departure raises more questions for a Padres organization trying to recover from a disastrous season. If Melvin applies for the Giants job but doesn’t get it, what consequences will that have on his tenure in San Diego? And what does this all mean for Preller, who could soon be thinking about replacing a fifth manager?
“In my opinion, a lot of things are exaggerated,” Preller said of his relationship with Melvin. “I think when we talk about reports, we don’t talk – we talk four or five times a day. Personally, I think we have a friendship.”
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(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / USA Today)