On SiriusXM’s Power Alley this morning, former GM Jim Duquette floated a simple theory: San Diego’s managerial search is dragging because no one is certain how secure A.J. Preller is beyond 2026. Preller is under contract through 2026, and while local reporting has suggested an extension is possible, it isn’t locked in, and recent coverage has detailed friction inside baseball ops. That ambiguity can spook candidates who don’t want to sign on with a boss who might not be their boss for long.
The backdrop is real ownership churn. After Peter Seidler’s passing, MLB approved John Seidler as the Padres’ control person in February. Meanwhile, Seidler’s widow filed suit earlier this year challenging control, underscoring how unsettled the governance picture has felt at times. Even if day-to-day baseball decisions continue, perception matters when hiring a dugout leader.
Mike Shildt’s sudden resignation at the end of the season certainly did not lend to the idea that the Padres are stable right now.
Multiple outlets say the Padres have narrowed the field to a small group that includes future Hall of Fame slugger Albert Pujols, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, and former big league catcher Nick Hundley. Some reports have also kept Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty in the conversation. A decision was thought possible “within days,” yet no hire has been announced, lending oxygen to Duquette’s point.
Candidates want to know who they’ll answer to in 18 months, and whether the front office is aligned above them. The Athletic has previously reported on tension between Preller and CEO Erik Greupner, and while winning tends to paper over cracks, uncertainty can slow both offers and acceptances. If ownership clarifies whether Preller’s runway extension or public backing is forthcoming, the hire is likely to follow quickly.
The baseball case remains strong.
San Diego’s roster boasts a playoff core, Petco Park resources, and a winnable path to the National League West title if they nail their pitching additions. That’s why names like Pujols (gravitas), Niebla (pitching nexus), Hundley (relationships/front-office credibility), and Flaherty (tactical chops, player trust) make sense.
However, until the chain-of-command question is answered, the safest assumption is that the Padres are interviewing aggressively while keeping one eye on the top of the organizational chart.