San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi concluded an exhaustive managerial search by turning to a familiar, but embattled candidate: Gabe Kapler. The hire represented a reunion as the two previously worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers for multiple years.
Kapler was one month removed from being fired by the Philadelphia Phillies after two tumultuous seasons as manager. The signing of Bryce Harper heightened expectations that Kapler and the Phillies were unable to meet — albeit in some part due to injuries.
Kapler’s rocky tenure as manager was another negative mark to his reputation. The first came when he was the Dodgers’ director of player development and was accused of mishandling assault allegations in 2015.
Although Kapler bore the brunt of the blame and accusations of a cover-up, Zaidi took responsibility for his handling of the incident as well, via Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic:
“In those situations, we asked ‘what do we have to do?’ instead of ‘what is the right thing to do?’” Zaidi said. “And I can only speak for myself: I’m truly sorry from my perspective I didn’t ask the right questions and address things appropriately.”
Kapler has since revealed the Dodgers released both Minor League players that were involved in the incidents. He was cleared in investigations of MLB and the Dodgers.
In November 2017, MLB cleared the Dodgers and Kapler of discrimination charges that were brought forth by former assistant director of player development Nick Francona, the son of famed Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona.
Prior to being let go by the Dodgers, Nick alleged he was reassigned to their research and development department at the same pay. His complaint to MLB centered around the relationship with Kapler, which Francona claimed soured when he sought an assessment with the Home Base Program that aims to assist veterans with mental-health issues.
Despite the checkered past, Kapler has the full support and confidence of the Giants front office. Of course, familiarity with Zaidi certainly appears to have been a factor. Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren reportedly interviewed with the Giants as well.
He and Zaidi not only were part of the Dodgers organization and also overlapped with the Oakland Athletics.
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