SF Giants requested permission to interview former Red Sox captain for managerial opening

Can you imagine former Boston Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek in any other uniform? That thought may not be as crazy as it seems as Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that the SF Giants have requested permission to interview Varitek for their managerial opening.

SF Giants requested permission to interview former Red Sox captain for managerial opening

Sherman adds that the Red Sox have granted the Giants permission to interview Varitek with the expectation that both sides would engage in an informational call in the coming days. This does sound more like a phone screening than an actual interview but it could lead to something of substance down the road.

Everyone knows Varitek from his playing days with the Red Sox. He debuted for Boston in 1997 and spent his entire 15-year career in a Red Sox uniform. This includes three All-Star appearances and two World Series titles.

The switch-hitting catcher played on Red Sox teams that featured stars like Manny Ramírez, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and Pedro Martínez. Despite the star power, Varitek made a name for himself as a power hitter with a reputation for handling a pitching staff.

Since his playing career came to an end after the 2011 season, the 51-year-old has worked extensively with the Red Sox. This includes a stint as a special advisor before transitioning into a planning and information coach.

The Giants have been connected mostly to candidates without prior managing experience. This includes internal options like Mark Hallberg, Alyssa Nakken, and Kai Correa. Texas Rangers bench coach Donnie Ecker and Seattle Mariners quality control coach Stephen Vogt are in the mix as well.

The one thing that all of these candidates have in common is that they have little to no managing experience. In fact, Hallberg is the only candidate with any type of managing experience as he managed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in 2019.

Prior managing experience does not appear to be a major criterion for the Giants front office, but this is a risky approach. The only potential candidate with managing experience is San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin. For the time being, the Padres have reiterated that Melvin is remaining in San Diego. That could change down the road, but for now, Varitek is joining the mix.