Padres Notes: Latest on Melvin, Get to Know the Top Candidates to Replace The Manager

Bob Melvin may be out as Padres manager sooner rather than later.

With the report coming over the weekend that the Padres gave Bob Melvin the green light to interview with the San Francisco Giants for their open managerial position, industry belief is that Melvin is as good as gone within the next few days or weeks at most.

In a way, it is viewed as a sort of get out of jail free card for San Diego and head of baseball ops A.J. Preller, whose tenuous relationship with the soon-to-be-former-manager may not have survived another baseball season.

Melvin will talk to Giants brass sometime this week. Neither he nor Preller have spoken to reporters about the situation brewing.

With the Padres likely in need of a new manager in short order, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribute did a deep dive on the two top internal candidates to take over for the Friars next season.

We touched on them both here yesterday.

Acee said that one candidate, Ryan Flaherty, is "well liked" in the Padre clubhouse and pointed to his relationship and history with Manny Machado. They played together on the Orioles for six seasons. But the focus was on the other leading candidate, Mike Shildt, who interviewed for the job the last time it was open (before the gig went to Bob Melvin).

On Shildt: Shildt’s managerial experience and extensive knowledge of all levels of the Padres’ organization is believed to separate him as a candidate. Additionally, multiple sources have said over the past two months that Shildt and Preller share many similar thoughts on synergy between departments. ... But Shildt’s philosophies regarding how a team prepares, how conflict is handled and the working relationship between manager and front office do largely line up with Preller. And he has repeatedly been proffered in as the favorite to get the job if it becomes available.

Shildt's reputation as something of a no-nonsense hard worker may be the type of voice a club like these Padres need to steer the ship after a disappointing 82-80 season and third place finish in the NL West. While Melvin was able to get the team on track in September, it was too little, too late for any real playoff hopes.

Other Padres Managerial Candidates

Beyond the two top internal candidates, Dennis Lin and Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic have identified at least four additional options from outside the organization who may at least get an interview.

Will Venable

A former Padre outfielder who's currently working for the Texas Rangers in a wide ranging coaching role.

Nick Hundley

Another former Padre whose name has emerged at the top of managerial lists of late. He's said to be a possible finalist for the Giants job, but with that likely going to Melvin, Hundley will remain as a special assistant (also with the Rangers), at least for the time being.

Don Mattingly

Mattingly has 8 seasons of managerial experience with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. He stepped down from his role with the Marlins last offseason and became the bench coach in Toronto with the Blue Jays in 2023. 

Joe Espada

The long-time future manager-to-be has been left at the alter for several job openings in recent years but remains a top candidate in the eyes of industry experts. He's the current bench coach of Dusty Baker and the Astros and may be viewed as the successor to Dusty in Houston, if and when the 74-year-old decides to step down.