THE NEWBERG REPORT — OCTOBER 27, 2006

The San Francisco Giants are expected today to introduce Bruce Bochy as their new manager, after Bochy had spent the last 12 seasons at the helm of the San Diego Padres.

I wonder if today is when we hear for the first time this winter that Trey Hillman is an official candidate to interview for manager of a team other than the Rangers. According to most accounts four years ago, Hillman’s lead proponent when he interviewed for the post that Buck Showalter eventually got was current Padres vice president of scouting and player development Grady Fuson.

Whether Fuson was Hillman’s greatest champion here or not, there’s no doubt that Fuson’s ties with Hillman are strong. Hillman was hired to become the Rangers’ director of player development in 2001, four weeks after Fuson was hired to be the organization’s assistant general manager, scouting and player development.

So far, the one name mentioned as a candidate to interview in San Diego is Angels pitching coach Bud Black.

Stay tuned.

You can read more from Jamey Newberg at www.NewbergReport.com.