SF Giants interview Mariners coach, former catcher in manager search

The SF Giants interviewed Seattle Mariners coach and former catcher Stephen Vogt in the team's managerial search on Thursday, a source tells GBI.

The SF Giants have begun expanding the team's search for a new manager to external candidates this week. An industry source informed Giants Baseball Insider that Seattle Mariners bullpen and quality control coach Stephen Vogt had a preliminary interview for the position on Thursday. Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle had previously reported that Vogt was set to be interviewed.

SF Giants C Stephen Vogt celebrates with a teammate after scoring a run. (2019) / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no surprise the Giants are in communication with Vogt. During his end of the season press conference with reporters, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi made comments regarding what qualities would be attractive when it comes to selecting a manager –– many of them were traits Vogt checked off.

“There are guys who don’t have managerial experience, but maybe they’ve just ended long playing careers, and they have relationships and can be effective recruiters and attractive leaders for players,” Zaidi said.

Vogt, 38, played in parts of ten seasons in the big leagues with six different teams from 2012-2022, most notably a fan favorite with the Oakland Athletics. Vogt –– a two-time All-Star with the A’s in 2015 and 2015 –– compiled 82 career homers with a .239/.301/.406 with a 93 OPS+ in 794 games throughout his career.

The journeyman already has a connection with the Giants organization and Zaidi, signing with the team prior to the 2019 season. Not only did he play for the club as a relatively productive backup catcher to Buster Posey in 2019, but he also had ties to Zaidi from his tenure as an executive in Oakland.

Since his retirement following the 2022 season, Vogt has been viewed as a legitimate managerial prospect with potent communication skills while also viewing the game in the lens of a backup catcher –– a quality in managers that usually winds up successful.

Vogt is not the only longtime catcher without managerial experience who has been tied to the Giants' opening. It was reported earlier this week by Joel Sherman of The NY Post that the Giants had received permission from the Boston Red Sox to interview Jason Varitek for the opening.

The SF Giants have already interviewed bench coach Kai Correa, third base coach Mark Hallberg, and assistant coach Alyssa Nakken –– who became the first woman interviewed for an MLB managerial opening. While it remains early in the process, San Francisco has yet to be tied to a candidate with previous managerial experience (outside of Correa's brief time as interim).