With the MLB offseason officially underway, a handful of teams find themselves in the final stages of hiring a new manager for the 2020 season. The Kansas City Royals became the latest to complete their search with the addition of former St. Louis Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny.
The Royals joined the Los Angeles Angels (Joe Maddon), Philadelphia Phillies (Joe Girardi), Chicago Cubs (David Ross) and San Diego Padres (Jayce Tingler) as teams to hire a new manager since the conclusion of the regular season.
Only three clubs in the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants remain on the lookout for a new manager. Each organization has cast a wide net in their search, with some candidates coming directly from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Pirates recently interviewed Dodgers first base coach George Lombard for their vacancy, although it is currently unclear if he has emerged as a finalist. The Giants additionally spoke to Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren regarding their opening.
According to Craig Mish of FNTSY Sports Radio, San Francisco is also considering Dodgers field coordinator Clayton McCullough in their search for Bruce Bochy’s replacement:
Per source, a new candidate has emerged in the San Francisco Giants search for a new Manager : Los Angeles Dodgers Field Coordinator Clayton McCullough.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) October 31, 2019
McCullough, 39, spent parts of four seasons with the Cleveland Indians organization before retiring as a player in 2005. He was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays two years later to serve as manager for their Rookie-level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.
McCullough went on earn promotions for Class-A Lansing (2008-09), High-A Dunedin (2010-11) and Low-A Vancouver (2012-13). Over parts of seven Minor League seasons, he owns a manager record of 629-559.
McCullough later took on the role of an instructional coordinator before departing the Blue Jays organization in January 2015. It was shortly after that he accepted a position as Minor League field coordinator with the Dodgers.
McCullough has served in that capacity ever since, working closely with the likes of Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and current Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
McCullough is the third person with Dodgers ties to interview for the Giants managerial opening, joining Geren and former director of player development Gabe Kapler.
