Former Jays Manager John Gibbons to Interview for Astros Opening

The Houston Astros reportedly have their first interview lined up as they look to move past the dramatic axing of manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow in the wake of the organization's damaging sign-stealing scandal.

Per Mark Berman of Houston TV station KRIV, former Toronto Blue Jays skipper John Gibbons will interview for Houston's vacant managerial position on Thursday.

Gibbons held two separate stints in Toronto -- 2004-2008 and 2013-2018 -- and it should go without saying that his second was far more successful. During that second run, he led the Blue Jays to a rare AL East crown in 2015 and an AL Wild Card berth in 2016.

In each of those seasons, Toronto advanced to the ALCS. Across Gibbons' 11 years with the club, he compiled a 793-789 (.501) record. He would eventually part ways with the Jays ahead of the 2019 season, as the 57-year-old was understood not to be interested in orchestrating a rebuild.

On Wednesday, Berman tabbed a flurry of managerial candidates that the Astros were reportedly targeting, including Buck Showalter, Bruce Bochy, Raúl Ibañez, and Dusty Baker, among others.

The wild card that favors Gibbons, however, is that he'll have the invaluable first chance to make a lasting impression on Houston's braintrust.