SF Giants add internal candidate, veteran catcher to managerial mix

The SF Giants search for a new manager is beginning to take shape as a third internal candidate has interviewed for the role - Alyssa Nakken. On top of this, veteran catcher Stephen Vogt is expected to interview for the vacancy this week.

SF Giants add internal candidate, veteran catcher to managerial mix

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic confirmed that Nakken has interviewed, making her the first woman to be a candidate for any managerial position in baseball. On the other hand, Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle confirmed the Vogt news.

This is really a cool moment for Nakken in particular and baseball in general. The Giants coach joined the organization in 2014 as part of the operations department, focusing on health and wellness. She was promoted to assistant coach in 2020 when Gabe Kapler was hired as the team's skipper.

On top of this, Nakken starred as a first baseman while she attended Sacramento State University. She is the third known internal candidate to interview for the position. Third base coach Mark Hallberg and interim manager Kai Correa are the other two.

Stephen Vogt just wrapped up a 10-year career at the end of 2022. This included six seasons with the Oakland A's and a one-year stop with the Giants. For years, it was expected that Vogt would pursue a career in coaching and a high probability that he would eventually become a manager.

It did not take long for the 38-year-old to land his first coaching role as he was hired as a bullpen and quality control coach for the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2023 season. The Mariners finished the season with 88 wins while narrowly missing the playoffs in a tough AL West.

The Giants plan to have a new manager in place by the start of free agency. The front office hopes that the future manager will play a role in recruiting. They have interviewed three internal candidates and are expected to include a pair of external options in Vogt and Texas Rangers bench coach Donnie Ecker as well.

One trait that all five candidates have in common is that they have no prior managing experience. The front office really needs to hit a home run with its hire and there is an element of unpredictability and high risk involved in going with a first-time manager. More names could be added to the mix, but prior managing experience does not appear to be a major criterion in their search. It might work out in the end, but it is risky.