At the start of the offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers faced a realistic possibility of losing Bob Geren to one of the several clubs seeking a new manager. The Dodgers endured a similar scenario last year when Chris Woodward was hired by the Texas Rangers.
There was a point in recent weeks that the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants each had a managerial vacancy.
Now only the Giants, Pirates and Mets remain in that position. The Dodgers’ rival reportedly not only interviewed Geren by field coordinator Clayton McCullough. However, neither Geren or McCullough advanced with the finalists.
While McCullough was eliminated from consideration for manager, the Giants reportedly are considering him for their coaching staff, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Clayton McCullough, #Dodgers field coordinator, interviewed for #SFGiants’ managerial opening, per @CraigMish. SFG, though, might see McCullough more as a coach. Team mentioned him to managerial candidates as potential staff member, sources say. Worked with Kapler in LA.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 6, 2019
McCullough spent parts of four seasons with the Cleveland Indians 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 subsequently earned promotions to 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 629-559 record as manager.
McCullough took on the role of an instructional coordinator before departing the Blue Jays organization in January 2015. Shortly after 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 president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and current Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
Zaidi has leaned on prior history with candidates during the Giants’ managerial search, interviewing not only Geren and McCullough, but finalist Gabe Kapler as well.
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