Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

During the 2026 MLB season, the San Diego Padres will be led by yet another new manager. 

Mike Shildt retired this week as the manager of the San Diego Padres.

In a somewhat surprising move, the team is looking for another skipper heading into the 2026 season. Shildt admitted to thinking about retirement during the 2025 season, which is a bit concerning. It is unclear if he had some health issues that led to his decision. In time, we may get clarity on what exactly happened to the ex-manager and why he chose to leave.

The brand-new manager will be the fifth hire (Andy Green, Jayce Tingler, Bob Melvin, and Mike Shildt) in the A.J. Preller era. In his 11-plus years as GM, the team has gone through several philosophical changes. Green and Tingler were brought in with minimal managerial experience. Melvin and Shildt both came in with experience, but that did not help them secure the job long-term.

So, where does this leave the San Diego Padres?

They are built to win now, and some argue that a new leader will take time to gel with his squad. It is rare for a new skipper to come into a franchise and have immediate success. It is certainly not out of the question, but with a new face at the helm, some uncertainty is expected.

Credit: AP Photo

The Padres are built relatively well and should be competitive in 2026, but you have to wonder what another new manager does for the psyche of this team. There are expectations of winning for the Padres, but success in baseball is not easily attained. It takes hard work, lots of luck, and a constant philosophy. That is something the Padres lack right now- a consistent way of playing the game.

Not since Andy Green have we heard the term “Padres way”. The young manager constantly spoke about cultivating a style of play and utilizing it throughout the whole system. In playing the game with semblance throughout the system, players are taught a common philosophy. They play the game in the same manner, no matter if they are playing in the majors or in a complex game in Arizona.

That is a great advantage to a franchise. Unfortunately, the Padres roster is not made up of homegrown talent. Only Jackson Merrill and Adrian Morejon are relevant players who were drafted by the Padres and remain with the squad. Everyone else is a transplant acquired or signed by Preller over the years.

Consistency is the name of the game. The Padres have lacked that for years. A Padres way must be designed and utilized for this organization to reach the promised land. That philosophy of play starts in the major leagues. It begins with the big dogs. And the leader of the pack will be vital to the identity of this organization’s future.

Until someone is put into place and left alone for an extended period, the team will toil in inconsistency and constantly search for an identity.

A new manager will have his hands full in San Diego. A.J. Preller has a reputation for being a hands-on GM, and that will not change in 2026. A new manager must be able to take the feedback from their GM while developing a roster with great potential.

The new manager will be essential for the success of this organization in the long term. We can only hope this new man will bring an identity to a franchise that needs one. There has never been a better time to be a fan of the San Diego Padres. The groundwork is done. It is time for results.

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.

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