The San Diego Padres have hired Mike Shildt as their next manager.
Shildt replaces Bob Melvin, who left San Diego for the San Francisco Giants last month.
The big picture: It’s an inside hire for the Padres, who were reportedly interviewing several candidates for the last few weeks.
- Shildt served as a senior advisor to the club for the past two seasons.
- Previously he managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018-2021, leading them to a 252-199 record.
What we’re watching: While Shildt takes over a team that isn’t short on star power, the beginning of his tenure could coincide with a transitional period for the Padres.
- Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts are all signed long-term in San Diego, but the team could lose reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell in free agency and might trade Juan Soto ahead of his last year under contract.
What they’re saying: “Mike is a proven winner as a manager at the Major League level, and he brings over two decades of experience in professional baseball to the position,” president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller said in a statement. “In his time here, Mike has displayed a strong baseball intellect, a passion for teaching the game, and has established relationships with players and staff at both the minor and Major League levels. We believe that Mike is the right person to lead the Padres forward in our continued pursuit of a World Series championship.”
