Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The numbers are in and it is about what was expected. Only a touch over a quarter of fans who participated in the Gaslamp Ball Padres Reacts Survey Poll (463 total votes) want to see Victor Rodriguez return as the San Diego Padres hitting coach in 2026. The overwhelming majority of fans believe it is time for a change in offensive philosophy.
It is unfair to Rodriguez to lay all of the blame for the Padres’ offensive decline in 2025 at his feet, but with manager Mike Shildt retiring unexpectedly, he is the one left to shoulder the blame. Shildt and Rodriguez held the stance that bunts, sacrifice flies and the ability to get just ONE more run than the other team was enough, and with back-to-back 90-win seasons it is hard to say they were wrong.
Yes, the goal is to outscore the opponent and it does not matter if that is by one run or 50 runs, but when your focus is too narrow it can lead to Jackson Merrill, the four hole hitter, dropping a bunt to move Manny Machado from first to second with no outs in the top of the fourth inning of a playoff game. Small ball can help win games, but when you are the team that is known for the sacrifice bunt, some of the effectiveness is lost without the element of surprise. There is no chance to bunt for a hit, instead it is an automatic out and the defense needs just 26 more.
The Friar Faithful watched teams around MLB win games by two, three, four-plus runs, while San Diego played one one-run game after another in 2025. It is a tough way to live to be sure, but it was also a factor in producing three All-Stars out of the bullpen and a closer, who led the National League with 40 saves.
It is time for the Padres to do what so many visiting teams do when they come to Petco Park… hit for power. There is nothing wrong with batters looking to drive the ball back through the middle of the field. It seems that every time Machado is on a hot streak he is hitting the ball to middle or into right-center field.
The problem is it would seem San Diego is trying to limit strikeouts at the cost of slug, but the World Series-leading Toronto Blue Jays have shown it is possible to do both. They were second in strikeouts with 1,099 for the season, but were still first in average (.265), first in OBP (.333), 11th in home runs (191) and seventh in slug (.427). In those same categories the Padres were third in strikeouts with 1,161 for the season and were seventh in average (.252), ninth in OBP (.321), 28th in home runs (152) and 22nd in slug (.390).
A change in philosophy on the offensive side of the ball may be coming no matter what, depending on the new manager, but not many in San Diego will be upset if Rodriguez is replaced.