Padres News: MLB Columnist Feels Peter Seidler Made the Right Move to Keep Preller and Melvin

Melvin gets to be part of the solution, rather than being blamed for the problem.

After a frustrating season for the San Diego Padres, many wondered what would happen with manager Bob Melvin. Melvin was seen as the scapegoat by many for the failures of the season, but the team did decide to retain him for 2024.

It was the kind of move that wasn’t surprising, but at the same time, was a little bit. Mevlin is a quality manager, and it seems that San Diego decided to give him another chance to fix their issues next year.

Writer Tom Krasovic of The San Diego Union-Tribune believes that bringing back Melvin was the correct decision for this Padres team.

“Whoever chose to bring Bob Melvin back for next season made the right decision. Melvin wasn’t to blame for the poor clutch hitting that, more than anything else, produced the most disappointing season in Padres history.”

Per Tom Krasovic of The SD Union-Tribune

If the Padres had decided to cut ties with Melvin, they would have needed a backup plan to begin with. It was always unlikely for them to find another manager who was as good as Melvin, and the results from this season were hardly his fault.

The team underperformed on the field, but they did finally start to find footing toward the end of the year. They just dug themselves into a hole that was too massive to climb out of, but things should look much better next season.

“Better times should be ahead. All of the leaders involved are MLB veterans who have rare gifts. Seidler treats people well and has approved massive payrolls that are hugely disproportionate to San Diego’s size as a media market. Preller put together a 2023 pitching staff and defense that finished second in run prevention. Melvin led the 2022 team to a wild card and playoff upsets of the Mets and Dodgers.”

Per Tom Krasovic of The SD Union-Tribune

This offseason will be big for the Friars, as they look to get themselves back into real contention. They have a strong core in place, and with some luck, they should return to the playoffs once again next year.