Although the Los Angeles Dodgers coaching staff has largely remained intact under manager Dave Roberts, there have been periodic departures. Most notably former third-base coach Chris Woodward was named Texas Rangers manager last year.
The Dodgers will experience more change for the 2020 season, as Rick Honeycutt is transitioning from pitching coach to a special assistant role in the front office. Honeycutt is expected to be succeeded by Mark Prior, who joined the Dodgers as bullpen coach in 2018.
There additionally has been speculation bench coach Bob Geren and first-base coach George Lombard could be plucked from Roberts’ staff as well. Geren reportedly interviewed for the San Francisco Giants managerial vacancy, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are said to have met with Lombard.
The Pirates’ search for a new manager is on temporary hold as they also seek a new head figure in their front office. Meanwhile, the Giants have pressed ahead but their list of finalists does not include Geren, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area:
According to league sources, the Giants are believed to have narrowed their search to former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, Royals quality control coach Pedro Grifol and Astros bench coach Joe Espada, who is coming in for a second in-person interview now that Houston’s bid for a title is over.
Geren not making the final cut is somewhat of a surprise considering his familiarity with Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and strong reputation as a bench coach. Geren additionally has managerial experience with the Oakland Athletics organization.
He was a skipper in their Minor League system for four years and named manager of the A’s in 2007. Geren guided them to a 334-376 record (.470 winning percentage) over parts of four seasons.
Oakland’s best season under Geren was an 81-81 record and second place finish in the American League West in 2010; he was fired 63 games into the 2011 campaign.
Geren’s time with the A’s overlapped with Zaidi’s tenure, as he spent 10 seasons in the Oakland front office before joining the Dodgers. The two then spent three more years working together in L.A.
