Five biggest questions facing the Giants this offseason

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 12: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros hits ground balls during batting practice prior to game one of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on October 12, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Who will fill the manager and general manager vacancies?

The most immediate need is a new manager to replace the departed Bruce Bochy, and that could wind up being a subsequent move to hiring a general manager to guide the front office alongside team president Farhan Zaidi.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports provided some insight into the general manager search:

Corrected spelling! Pete Putila, #Astros farm director, is among candidates for #SFGiants’ GM vacancy, sources tell The Athletic. #Cubs assistant GM Scott Harris also among candidates. Again: Unclear where SFG are in their search, how close they are to a conclusion.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 7, 2019

Kevan Graves, the #Pirates’ assistant GM who was elevated to interim GM after the team fired Neal Huntington, also has drawn consideration from the #SFGiants during their GM search, sources tell The Athletic. A candidate for both openings.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 7, 2019

The team went without a general manager last season, and Zaidi will still be the loudest voice in the front office, but this hire is still significant.

As for the managerial search, the field has been whittled to three candidates:

EXCLUSIVE: The #SFGiants are down to three managerial candidates: former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, Astros bench coach Joe Espada and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro. https://t.co/6pm3onFgEj
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) November 6, 2019

There have been some rumblings that Espada has emerged as the favorite for the job, but no decision has been made just yet, and it could be on the back-burner until a general manager is hired.