Giants will give Astros’ Joe Espada second interview for manager job

It's beginning to look more and more like Farhan Zaidi has found his manager.

As the Giants continue their search for Bruce Bochy's replacement, Zaidi will interview Astros bench coach Joe Espada for a second time after the World Series, Espada told the media Sunday.

Astros bench coach Joe Espada said he will go back to San Francisco following Houston’s run in the World Series for a second interview for the Giants’ managerial opening.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 27, 2019

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The Giants reportedly interviewed Espada over the phone, and then the bench coach flew to San Francisco during the Astros' off day for his first in-person interview.

Espada doesn't have any major league managerial experience, but he appears to check every box Zaidi wants. The 44-year-old has been a bench coach, a third base coach and an infield coach in the majors. He also has been a hitting coach and an infield coach at the minor league level, and has managed in the Puerto Rico Winter League. He was a member of the Team Puerto Rico coaching staff in the World Baseball Classic, too.

The Giants' search has led them to a number of candidates -- from A's quality control coach Mark Kotsay to Cubs first base coach Will Venable -- but it feels like they're zeroing in on the man to replace Bochy.