The Giants are now focused on Astros bench coach Joe Espada for their managerial opening above all other candidates, according to a source. Espada spent Wednesday interviewing in San Francisco again, and the team was impressed with him, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, and a decision could be coming "soon," though none was imminent as of Thursday evening.

On Wednesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Giants had narrowed their search down to three candidates: Espada, former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro.

Espada had a second interview in October with the Cubs, who ultimately chose David Ross for their manager instead. Espada has been the Astros’ bench coach since the start of the 2018 season, when the team’s previous bench coach, Alex Cora, left to become the Red Sox manager.

Espada played 10 years of baseball in the Minors and independent leagues, but never reached the Majors. He began his coaching career with the Marlins in 2006, starting as a Minor League hitting coach. His Major League coaching experience began in 2010, when he was named the Marlins’ third base coach, a role he held through the end of the '13 season.

After his time with the Marlins, Espada worked as a special assistant to Yankees GM Brian Cashman in 2014. In 2015, he was named the team’s infield coach and third base coach, a job he held through the end of the '17 season, when he was named as the Astros' bench coach.

Beyond his Major and Minor League coaching experience, Espada also coached Team Puerto Rico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

The Giants and Pirates are the two remaining teams in need of a manager for 2020, after there were initially eight openings this offseason.