AP Source: Giants narrow manager search to 3 finalists

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants have narrowed their search for a new manager to three finalists, a person with direct knowledge of the process said.

Former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, Astros bench coach Joe Espada and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro are the final three vying to replace Bruce Bochy, the person said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the candidates’ names haven’t been made public.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi is taking his time making the hire. He has known since February that Bochy would retire.

Others who had been considered were Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren, Giants coaches Ron Wotus and Hensley Meulens, and Athletics coach Mark Kotsay.

The 44-year-old Kapler was fired Oct. 10 after two seasons in Philadelphia and a 161-163 record. With Bryce Harper their blockbuster acquisition, the Phillies finished 81-81 for their first non-losing season since 2012.

Last week, Espada’s Astros lost Game 7 of the World Series to the Washington Nationals. Quatraro and the Rays beat Oakland in the AL wild card game before losing in a five-game division series to Houston.

Bochy managed the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, ’12 and ’14. San Francisco went 77-85 in his final year. The club could look quite different heading into 2020 with lefty ace and 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner among baseball’s top free agents.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the three finalists Wednesday.