Quote from fenn68 on October 20, 2025, 11:01 am

See that the Padres plan to interview Pujols for the managerial job. Pujols pulled out of. the LAA opening and based on the article seem to be unaligned on salary, coaches, and resources (that is about everything) plus he has 7 years (at $1MM per) left on a LAA personal services contract. That does not sound like a set of "demands" that would work for the Padres.

Also a note on Hundley, he pulled out of the SF candidacy due to "family considerations" ... that might suggest he will not consider SD either.

I would expect Preller / Gruepner / Siedler to interview a number of candidates ... some with little intent of hiring ... but Preller does seem to like to use these interviews to get an outsider's view of the clubs pluses and minus. So, I guess we should not get excited / worried about some who are interviews.

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 20, 2025, 12:47 pm

Bring my cousin Phil Nevin back to manage

🙂

 

 

Quote from WindsorUK on October 22, 2025, 12:48 pm

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/21/tom-krasovic-albert-pujols-could-be-ideal-fit-for-manny-machado-xander-bogaerts-and-padres/

Echoes my thoughts on Pujols being our next manager.

Hopefully Preller doesn't let him leave town.

Quote from fenn68 on October 22, 2025, 1:29 pm

I need to learn a lot more about Pujols ... as a manager type not a star player ... before leaning into him for the Padres.

A number of Hall of Fame types tried managing and were major failures (see Ted Williams) while the fringe catchers turned into major successes.

In the one article on him out of the LAA job ... was his "demand" to have the decision making on coaches with a special desire for "his" pitching coach. (Niebla then out?). Also, he has 7 years / $7MM on a personal services deal with LAA ... will the Padres have to buy that out and/or will they have to commit to at least that much money to Pujols?

The Machado / Bogaerts connection may not be what is hoped for IF that tight relationship creates some friction with others on the team. Frankly, if two super stars with major contracts in their early 30s need inspiration from the likes of Pujols ... worried about their mind set.

I always worry a great player like Pujols maybe can relate to another "star" but has his difficulties with "ordinary" players who can't match his talent.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on October 22, 2025, 5:29 pm

We desperately need someone who our best player( read: Machado) respects and will listen to.

Only name I've heard that meets that requirement is Pujols.

If Manny falls in line, so will every player in that clubhouse.

You're right about his managerial pedigree( doesn't really have one) but we need to try to do something extraordinary, and this may be it?

Quote from fenn68 on October 22, 2025, 8:14 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on October 22, 2025, 5:29 pm

We desperately need someone who our best player( read: Machado) respects and will listen to.

Only name I've heard that meets that requirement is Pujols.

If Manny falls in line, so will every player in that clubhouse.

You're right about his managerial pedigree( doesn't really have one) but we need to try to do something extraordinary, and this may be it?

I guess I am having a tough time trying to figure out what Pujols would tell Manny to change ... and Manny (with massive self confidence) would willing do ... respect or not. Manny is already the leader (maybe self proclaimed) and don't see much of an issue with the rest of the team being in conflict with him (or with Shildt last season).

team had consecutive 90 win seasons and playoffs ... no sense of any leadership issues. More worried about a new manager disrupting the team cohesiveness than improving it. A new manager taking over a losing team has a lot of freedom to make (demand) changes but taking over a winning team built on players who perceive themselves as key to that success and pushing change might just backfire. A really difficult line to walk for anyone.

I just don't have a favorite candidate ... too little data.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 23, 2025, 5:22 am

I don't want a Manager for the next 5 years because he's friends with a few of our players.

We need one that is the best for the entire team to win a World Championship.

If that is "also" Pujols....fine.

But I'd prefer an experienced Manager who can relate to the modern player and with analytics.

Not just a HOF player who is beloved by the Hispanic players/community

I'd like to know more as to why everyone thinks he'd be a great Manager besides just his reputation and ethnicity.

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 23, 2025, 6:56 am

No bias on any individual but ... for me in theory ... have to recognize:

1. this team has been successful for the last 4-6 years
2. it is a team built with veteran / all-star level players (Machado, Bogaerts, Tatis, Cronenworth, Pivetta, Darvish, Musgrove)
3. younger but established players in Merrill, Miller, Morejon, etc.

and then avoid any manager that wants to overhaul the approach (will meet with great resistance) and could do more to hurt than help ... has a some level of success as a manager (or at least as an established successful coach) at the ML level for credibility with the entire roster (no Tingler / Green types or even the college guy the Giants hired) ... someone who is "current" with the modern era of players to enable a "team" approach to continue winning.

Who? No idea but put the focus on the manager not rocking to boat and put the focus on Preller to enhance the roster ... and the players to look inside and improve their performance.

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 24, 2025, 3:23 pm

Other than Pivetta ... have a major worry about SP ...

1. Will Musgrove coming off TJ going to be fully effective (even if healthy) to begin the season ... history suggest there will be a ramp up period. Add that he has not had a full season since 2022 so how many innings can we expect?
2. Darvish will be 39 and has not had a full season for years and even when healthy last season ... not effective. Again how many innings?
3. Vasquez ... seems healthy and seems to make every start ... BUT at least with Shildt he was only a 5 inning guy putting a lot of pressure on the pen.
4. After those three ... Sears (who will be 30), Waldron, and Hoeing have not shown enough to make a starting rotation on a good team.

I guess the Padres may be backed into trying to convert either Miller or Morejon to SP just by lack of alternatives . Not much value in an elite RP if the team is losing going into the end of almost every game ... with the current starting options that is likely.

Prefer not but the only way to try to avoid that ... Preller needs to focus all the available money / trade chips on SP ... and with a special concern on SP that have a track record of making starts and eating innings.

Opens an interesting potential option ... a comment on MLBTradeRumors triggered this ... could Cease be in the picture to be re-signed. Not currently in favor with the fans and Boras is his agent BUT since he has had two sub-par seasons the speculation would be he will not get that long term big money offer and MAY opt of a short deal with an opt-out after 2026 after (hopefully) establishing his value. He still has the "stuff" of an ace but for the Padres importantly he makes his starts and eats innings. For the right price on effectively a one year deal might be a good fit for both the Padres and Cease (pitching at PETCO under Niebla).

A similar scenario on King ... 2025 injuries has destroyed his objective of a long term contract at big money. So, same scenario sign a deal with opt out after 2026 hopefully re-establishing value.

IF the Padres have the money ... re-signing both while just scramble for filling position player needs at low cost MAY just get the Padres the best "team" ... plus the additional benefit of not making any long term commitments prior to the 2027 lockout and the new CBA.

Money ... alternatives in play but would keep the elite bullpen in tact and core 8 position players returning.