Padres Rumors: Insider Argues Bob Melvin Not to Blame for Friars’ Struggles

Would firing Melvin solve the Padres issues?

As the San Diego Padres continue their push toward the postseason, many have called into question the job of manager Bob Melvin. Melvin is in his second season with the Padres, but the team has underperformed to this point this year.

Melvin is a highly respected manager in the big leagues and was seen as the guy to help get this team over the hump.

Under Melvin, the Padres reached the NLCS last season and were expected to take that next leap this year. However, they haven’t found a way to put together any sort of consistency, and they are currently way back of the final wild-card spot in the National League.

If the team were to get rid of Melvin after the season, however, it would be met with some questions. Bryce Miller of The San Diego Union-Tribune recently wrote a column giving an opinion on Melvin. You can check it out here!

People want someone to take the blame when struggles happen. It’s human nature. But in reality, the issues that the Padres have seen are a mixture of multiple things. Melvin just could end up being the fall guy for them, as Miller points out.

"But Melvin? Really? How short are the memories of Padres fans? Did they forget the results he delivered in 2022, without Fernando Tatis Jr., with “Who is

this

Juan Soto?”, with a mishmash of supporting cast members, to hurdle the loaded Mets and Dodgers and reach the NL Championship Series?"

Per The SD Union-Tribune

The Padres do need to start getting things back on track. They are losing time, and the clock is ticking on their season.

“Count Melvin as an accountable realist. Unless there’s a big run left in these Padres, he knows bus tire tracks are in the future for someone. Missing the playoffs in this way, with this collection of high-priced talent, begs for Preller to show bold strokes to fix things. Firing another hitting coach would not feel bold. It would feel familiar.”

Per The SD Union-Tribune

If the Padres were to fire Melvin, it would show a level of instability within the organization. Teams can't just fire managers consistently without any ramifications. 

People around the league watch how teams operate, and this would be a problem for the Friars. Plus, who else could they get? Who would want to manage this team, knowing that they could be let go shortly after being hired if the players don't perform? It will be a slippery slope for the Padres if they can't turn things around this season.