Padres chairman Peter Seidler dropped a statement the day after the disappointing 2023 season ended and in it, offered his “full support” to team leaders.
Three weeks later, one of those leaders, Bob Melvin, has opted to move on to become San Francisco’s new manager and another, A.J. Preller, will embark on yet another managerial search for the Friars.
Two interviews already are set, according to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, via X – with internal candidates Mike Shildt and Ryan Flaherty.
Shildt, though a former manager in St. Louis, has served the Padres in an advisory capacity, while Flaherty, who has yet to be a major league skipper, was one of Melvin’s bench coaches.
Preller has been the Padres GM since 2014 – the club elevated him to president of baseball operations two years ago. He has hired – and fired two managers, Andy Green and Jayce Tingler. Melvin, after two years, opted out with one year remaining on his contract.
Reports emerged late in the season depicting Preller’s and Melvin’s relationship as tense.
Melvin, while being introduced Wednesday as the Giants’ new manager, noted that the Bay Area opening “was probably the only one I would have listened to.”
“I very much enjoyed my time in San Diego. It just seems like with a lot of things that were popping up there, it was time to move on,” he told MLB.com.
For his own part, Preller, MLB reported, may be reflecting on his relationship with his managers. “From my own standpoint, did I make it easier? How can I do it a little bit different to make sure that the manager feels comfortable?” he said.
He also pointed to the team’s talent – the very thing that pushed expectations so high last season – has a draw for those interested in becoming the Padres’ skipper.
“I can just tell in the first 24 hours, though, there’s a lot of interest in this job,” he told MLB.com. “We’ve had some very interesting names and some people that are very accomplished that have expressed interest in this job. Really, it’s a testament to our team, our roster, the talent that’s here.”
