Padres Manager Bob Melvin Identified for New Opening with Giants Following Kapler Dismissal
The National League West didn't turn out to be the powerhouse it was shaping up to be in the offseason. The Padres and Giants added talent in free agency last winter and were expected to be leaders alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West.
Now with two games of regular season baseball left the Giants are eliminated and just fired their manager and the Padres are eliminated from postseason contention and have a manager and GM on the hot seat.
Following Gabe Kapler's dismissal in San Francisco on Friday, speculation connecting Bob Melvin to the Giants ran wild. ESPN insider Buster Olney was among those to tweet about the fit.
Melvin, who grew up in the Bay Area, has been viewed as a candidate to be fired this offseason following a disappointing year for the Friars. His job status along with A.J. Preller's is seen as tenuous in San Diego. Still, if Melvin were to be fired, he'd quickly become the top free agent manager on the market.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle pointed to Melvin's long history with Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, both of whom worked together for years with the Oakland Athletics.
If Melvin loses his job, he’d be a natural fit in San Francisco, especially because Giants fans are familiar with his Bay Area background and accomplishments with the frugal team across the bay. Plus, they probably would welcome someone with open arms who is both old school and new school, not just new school.
Melvin's future in San Diego should come into focus shortly after the conclusion of the regular season. The Padres' brain trust including Melvin, Preller, and CEO Erik Greupner have a meeting set for Monday, October 2nd.
