Padres Expected to Conclude Hunt for New Manager This Week, Here's the Rumored Final 4
The San Diego Padres search for their new manager seems to be coming to a close, and the team is expected to make a decision by the middle of this week. After letting Bob Melvin leave the organization for the division rival San Francisco Giants, San Diego has conducted a thorough interview process.
They have knowingly interviewed four candidates and are expected to choose one soon. In-house candidates Mike Shildt and Ryan Flaherty remain two of the more likely names to get the job, but the team also looked at Los Angeles Angels bench coach Benji Gil and former Angels manager Phil Nevin.
All would give the Padres a good chance to compete next season, and who they hire will depend on what they value. Both Shildt and Flaherty give the team a sense of continuity, and they already know how the organization works.
The Padres have reportedly preferred an in-house candidate for their open job, but their recent interviews may suggest otherwise as well. Gil and Nevin remain in consideration, which is interesting this far in.
Especially Nevin, who brings experience to the table with him. While his tenure with the Angels didn’t go as planned, San Diego may prefer someone who has managed at the big-league level in the past.
This would mean either Nevin or Shildt would be the frontrunners, with Shildt having been the manager for the St. Louis Cardinals for a few years. He had more success as a manager than Nevin, but they did interview Nevin late in the game, suggesting their interest in him.
No matter who the Padres hire, they have to get their decision correct. This team is in a win-now mode, and they can’t afford to make another poor hire here.
They want to remain competitive heading into next season and beyond, so getting the person to lead the team correctly is crucial. This all should come to a head shortly, and we will finally know who will be leading the Friars.
