Report: Giants to hire Bochy

San Diego Padres Manager Bruce Bochy agreed in principle late Thursday to become manager of the San Francisco Giants, and Angels pitching coach Bud Black is a strong candidate to replace Bochy with the Padres.

Black, the Angels’ pitching coach for seven seasons, was also a candidate for the Giants’ job and was scheduled to interview with the Oakland A’s next week for their vacancy.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that discussions late into the night had resulted in a deal between the Giants and Bochy, who managed the Padres to first place in the National League West this season.

The Giants scheduled a news conference for today to announce the deal. The Mercury News reported that Bochy would receive a contract of at least three years for more than $2 million per season.

Bochy was the only candidate with major league managerial experience, something Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said would be preferred. The Giants received permission from the Padres on Wednesday to talk to Bochy, who traveled to the Bay Area to meet with Sabean and other team officials about becoming Felipe Alou’s successor. Calls to Bochy’s cell phone went unreturned Thursday.

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Gary Sheffield is angry that the New York Yankees plan to exercise his $13-million option for next season rather than allow him to become a free agent. While the Yankees have until Nov. 5 to decide, Sheffield told USA Today that he has been told it will be exercised.

“This will not work, this will not work at all,” he was quoted as saying in Thursday editions. “I don’t want to play first base all year for them. I will not do that.”

If the Yankees exercise the option, included as part of the three-year contract Sheffield negotiated before the 2004 season, they probably would trade him. By exercising the option, they can prevent him from winding up with the Boston Red Sox.

Also, Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back and Don Mattingly will take over as bench coach next season, replacing Lee Mazzilli, according to Newsday’s website.

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Frank Thomas and the Athletics have made progress on a deal that would keep him in Oakland for two more years. A’s General Manager Billy Beane spoke to Thomas’ agent, Arn Tellem, and Tellem says he believes the sides are making strides. The 38-year-old Thomas has said he needs to listen to all offers.