The San Diego Padres granted permission for manager Bob Melvin to interview with the San Francisco Giants, sources told ESPN, paving the way for an interdivision managerial change and the end of a contentious two-year relationship between Melvin and the Padres.

While league sources believed the possibility of Melvin emerging as the top candidate in San Francisco were logical, the rarity of one manager jumping to a division rival while still under contract dampened the possibility. Granting permission makes Melvin the clear favorite for the San Francisco job, though because he's still under contract with the Padres for one year at $4 million, the team could pursue compensation if he is the Giants' choice to replace Gabe Kapler.