Credit: AP Photo

A look at some of the external options the San Diego Padres have for their new manager coming into the 2026 season. 

Mike Shildt is no longer the San Diego Padres manager.

The baseball lifer decided to retire after a brutal tenure as the skipper of the Padres. Health and other things were determining factors in his retirement.

With his departure, San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller is on the search for his fifth managerial hire in 11-plus years with the franchise.

There is a lot to do this winter, and a new skipper will likely bring in his own staff, so the hire should take place relatively soon.

Here is a look at some of the external options outside the organization. Both good and bad.

 

Benji Gil

The native of San Diego went to Castle Park High in the South Bay and certainly loves baseball in the area. Gil played several seasons in the majors and is well respected. He managed the Mexican national team and was one of the finalists for the Padres’ head coach position before they hired Mike Shildt. There is familiarity with Preller and the organization. This is a sleeper pick, but an interesting one.

 

Ryan Flaherty

Flaherty worked as the Padres’ bench coach under Bob Melvin. He was one of the contenders before the team hired Mike Shildt. He stayed with the team after Shildt was hired, as the team used him in a bench coach role. He was also considered the offensive coordinator of the team. Flaherty left the Padres to become the Cubs’ bench coach and is certainly well-respected in the clubhouse. He will manage in the big league one day.

 

Credit: AP Photo

Mark DeRosa

DeRosa is known for his time on the MLB Network as a TV analyst. He has minimal managerial experience as the USA head coach in the WBC. DeRosa is undoubtedly an odd choice, but the ex-player is outgoing and was considered a great teammate. He may, one day, be a great manager in the league when he decides to leave the TV cameras behind.

 

Bruce Bochy

The Padres’ most successful manager is a free agent. But his age is certainly a concern. You have to figure that Bochy would not want to get involved in the turmoil that has been the San Diego Padres in recent years. Still, if he wants a challenge- guiding the Padres to their first World Series would cement him as the best manager in the history of the game. Taking direction from A.J. Preller is something that seems too difficult for this veteran of the game.

 

Fernando Tatis

Can the senior Tatis get consistent results from his son? Tatis is a respected manager in the Dominican Republic. There is a lot of risk in this hire. I am sure Fernando Tatis Jr. would need to sign off on this in the first place. But if things didn’t work out, things could get messy for the Padres. Probably better to stay away from family when trying to build a competitive roster. But an interesting thought.

 

Nick Hundley

Hundley is a former catcher and played seven seasons with the Padres. He is in the Giants organization and is considered a candidate to replace Bob Melvin as the Giants manager. The Padres may explore talking to the former backstop. There is no link now, but in time, we may see a connection here.

 

David Ross

The Cubs’ former manager had a decent tenure in Chicago and was forced out of town. There is a thought that he will be signed somewhere this winter, and the Padres seem like a decent fit. There are connections between Ross and the Padres, as he briefly played with the team in 2005. He will manage again in the majors someday.

 

Albert Pujols

Pujols managed Leones del Escogido to titles in both the Dominican Professional Baseball League and the Caribbean Series this past winter. He is a remarkable name and someone that players would certainly listen to. But can he handle the rigors of a season and the drama that comes with it? If Pujols manages, it will probably be with the Angels, as he is already under contract with the franchise.

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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