San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller told Padres.com Tuesday that the team has moved to the second stage in its search for a new manager.
He said the team finished the last of its initial interviews Monday after he had to wait for some coaches who were still in postseason races.
So far, the Padres have interviewed ESPN analyst Alex Cora, D-backs Minor League manager and former Padres third baseman Phil Nevin, Pirates third-base coach Rick Sofield, D-backs third-base coach Andy Green, Padres hitting coach Mark Kotsay, former Major League pitcher Tom Gordon and former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and Angels assistant general manager Scott Servais (who has already been hired as the Mariners manager).
Gardenhire and Sofield are expected to have second interviews, according to the Padres.com report.
“We feel good. We’re whittling it down,” Preller said. “I think the overall process has been good. I think we’ve had good conversations with the initial list of guys.”
Murphy finds a new home
Last year’s interim manager will not be returning to the team at all next season, as he will take over as the Milwaukee Brewers bench coach some time next week, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
The Padres denied Murphy a chance to interview with the Brewers for a coaching role last season prior to Bud Black being fired, with anticipation they may use him as an interim manager.
Murphy has connections with Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who he coached at Notre Dame.
