Reports: Bob Melvin leaving Padres to manage Giants

Bob Melvin is leaving the San Diego Padres to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

Melvin, who turns 62 on Saturday, had one season and $4 million remaining on his contract in San Diego. The three-time Manager of the Year and Bay Area native received permission from the Padres to interview with the National League West-rival Giants, who fired Gabe Kapler with three games remaining this season.

Per The Athletic, Melvin is expected to officially be named as manager of the Giants later this week.

The Padres have two internal candidates to potentially replace Melvin: bench coach Ryan Flaherty and senior advisor Mike Shildt. The Athletic reported that Flaherty, 37, has a strong relationship with general manager A.J. Preller, although the 55-year-old Shildt has major-league managerial experience due to his time with the St. Louis Cardinals (2018-21).

Melvin, a former Giants catcher, and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, worked together in Oakland. Melvin was the Athletics' manager and Zaidi served as their assistant general manager.

Melvin initially was slated to return as manager of the Padres in 2024 despite the team failing to meet high expectations this season.

There were reports of friction between Melvin and Preller late in the season.

Melvin posted a 171-153 record in two seasons with San Diego. The Padres went 89-73 in his first season and reached the NL Championship Series before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies.

In 20 seasons as a big league manager, Melvin has a 1,517-1,425 record with the Seattle Mariners (2003-04), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005-09), Athletics (2011-21) and Padres. He has guided eight teams to the postseason.