Report: SF Giants to interview Red Sox legend, coach Jason Varitek for manager

The SF Giants have been granted permission to interview Boston Red Sox coach Jason Varitek in the team's search for a new manager.

Marc Delucchi | Oct 20, 2023

Report: SF Giants to interview Red Sox legend, coach Jason Varitek for manager /

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The SF Giants have been granted permission to interview Boston Red Sox coach Jason Varitek in the team's search for a new manager, according to a report by New York Post MLB insider Joel Sherman. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is expected to have a preliminary conversation with Varitek about the opening, created by the firing of Gabe Kapler, later this week. Varitek has been in the Red Sox organization as a player, consultant, or coach for more than 25 years. He is currently the game planning coordinator/catcher coach on manager Alex Cora's staff.

Boston Red Sox game planning coordinator/catching coach Jason Varitek (33) works with catcher Kevin Plawecki (25) in the dugout during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (2022) — Red Sox coach Jason Varitek (33) works with catcher Kevin Plawecki (25) in the dugout. (2022) / James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports

"Varitek is expected to have an informational phone call in the coming days with the Giants so the sides can gain familiarity with each other and determine whether to continue in the process," Sherman wrote.

Varitek built a reputation as one of the best defensive catchers in MLB over his 15-year playing career, which he played entirely with the Red Sox. Varitek hit .256/.341/.435 with 193 home runs, receiving three All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger Award. He was also a part of two World Series winning teams and caught four no-hitters over his career.

Upon retiring at the end of the 2011 season, Varitek remained in the Red Sox organization as a special assistant to then-general manager Ben Cherington. After working as a consultant with several front offices, Varitek joined Cora's coaching staff in a non-uniformed role as a game planning coordinator. His title was shifted to player information coach in 2021 before he signed a three-year extension to remain on staff as a game planning coordinator/catcher coach following the 2022 season.

Varitek was viewed as a future manager for much of his playing career but has no experience as a manager or bench coach. He is the second former catcher with no previous managerial experience to have his name tied to the SF Giants' managerial opening. Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that the Giants would interview Mariners coach Stephen Vogt.

Published Oct 20, 2023

MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).