Despite being fired just earlier this week, Gabe Kapler may not be without a job for long.
According to a report by Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the San Francisco Giants will be bringing in Kapler to interview for their vacant managerial position. The Giants were left with an opening following the retirement of legendary manager Bruce Bochy.
Kapler has some ties to Giants management from his past role with the Dodgers. He formerly served as director of player development in Los Angeles under then-general manager Farhan Zaidi. Zaidi is currently the team president of the San Francisco Giants.
Zaidi, along with the rest of the Dodgers front office, nearly hired Kapler as manager in 2015. Although Dave Roberts was eventually hired, Zaidi was certainly interested in what Kapler had to offer. The sentiment around baseball is that Zaidi thinks very highly of Kapler, making him a possible favorite for the job
.The Phillies relieved Kapler of his duties this past Thursday after two seasons as skipper. The team was 161-163 during his tenure. Despite win improvements in both seasons under Kapler, poor public perception, September collapses and no postseason berths ultimately cost him his job.
Following his firing, Kapler released a statement reflecting on his time in Philadelphia and how it may shape his future.
“It was an honor to grow, develop and learn with this team,” Kapler said in an excerpt from his statement. “I’m looking forward to what the future brings, and I know I’m a better leader and person for having had this opportunity.”