Manager-Needy Padres 'Loved' Cardinals Champion But Signing Unlikely

One former member of the Cardinals surprisingly popped up in the Padres' manager search

The San Diego Padres need to fill their manager position but it's unclear who will take over the role.

The two most likely candidates currently are Mike Shildt and Ryan Flaherty. Shildt was a part of the St. Louis Cardinals organization for over two decades in various capacities. He eventually worked his way up and was named the Cardinals' interim manager in 2018 and quickly was promoted. He was St. Louis' manager through the 2021 season and helped lead the club to the 2019 National League Championship Series before leaving the organization and becoming a senior advisor with the Padres

Flaherty currently is the Padres' bench coach and has been with the organization in various capacities since he retired from playing baseball in 2019. It has been widely reported that the Padres' next manager will either be Shildt or Flaherty.

Although this is the case, one other candidate the club reportedly likes is current Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, although a signing is unlikely, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. 

"The Padres will consider in-house candidates Mike Shildt and Ryan Flaherty for manager," Heyman said. "They loved Marlins manager Skip Schumaker when he coached there, and he’s upset over (general manager) Kim Ng being forced out in Miami, but folks don’t think it’s likely Miami lets him leave, a la (Bob Melvin)."

Schumaker would be an intriguing candidate but it doesn't sound like he's going anywhere. He took over the Marlins ahead of the 2023 campaign and had success winning 84 games and earning a National League Wild Card spot before falling to the Philadelphia Phillies in the postseason. He played 11 years in the big leagues -- including eight seasons with St. Louis -- and won a World Series with the Cardinals in 2011. 

San Diego recently let former manager Bob Melvin interview with the San Francisco Giants and he left the organization after reported tension. Although Schumaker may be upset with the Marlins forcing Ng out of town, it doesn't sound like they're going to let him go. If for some reason they let Schumaker interview with the Padres, there's a chance he could go. But it doesn't appear that will be the case.

More MLB: Five Cardinals Players Taken Off Roster Amid Intriguing Organizational Turnover