Quote from WindsorUK on October 13, 2025, 10:22 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on October 13, 2025, 10:03 am

Sounds like Shildt just got tired of the grind. I wish him well. It seems like the simplest solution would be to stay internal. Maybe they just promote Niebla and make Fritz the pitching coach. There are a few other guys in the organization that would make sense as well.

My thought process exactly!

But if Bochy is available.......

Quote from Randy Manese on October 13, 2025, 10:28 am

Concur with Jeremy that it probably was the grind that got to him but also the frustration that upper management/ownership wouldn't allow Preller to get the pieces they needed for the bench/everyday line-up at the start of the season and that he had to wait until the trading deadline to replace the black holes in the line-up and to bring in proven reserves when injuries hit.  I think it forced him to overuse his bullpen and play guys who needed more days of rest, especially during the dog days of the season.  These kinds of things grind on a manager who is deeply invested in his players.  Losing who they will this season, potentially makes it even more of a grind, particularly when ownership's priority seems to reduce spending rather than investing in a couple of key players who will make a difference this coming year and in the future.

Shildt certainly was a players' manager and I hope they find someone similar that.  Not sure Niebla wants to be the manager or whether the Padres want to bring in a rookie in that position.  I like most of those names mentioned previously but not sure, that Bochy, 71 for most of the 2026 season wants to continue to put himself in that kind of situation.  It will be interesting to see who the Padres are able to get but irrespective of who they decide on, I do hope Niebla and the entire pitching coaching staff returns.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on October 13, 2025, 10:35 am

Personally, I'd prefer Preller to have retired!

How many managers has he had?

Had Dave Roberts and Pat Murphy, but chose the Andy Green's and Jayce Tingler's of the world. Melvin and Schildt were solid picks but neither has lasted more than 2 seasons.

At some point ownership will have to say enough is enough.

Quote from fenn68 on October 13, 2025, 11:04 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on October 13, 2025, 10:03 am

Sounds like Shildt just got tired of the grind. I wish him well. It seems like the simplest solution would be to stay internal. Maybe they just promote Niebla and make Fritz the pitching coach. There are a few other guys in the organization that would make sense as well.

Not all that sure that Niebla wants a managerial role ... plus a quality coach does not always translate to a quality manager.

Quote from fenn68 on October 13, 2025, 11:15 am

My bias is not to bring back managers / players from the past ... just rarely works to expectations. So I would avoid Bochy - Black - Melvin even if they would be interested (that is a legit point).

Still ... the question is really who would make Manny happy? Of course, make a splash and name Manny player-manager!

Quote from fenn68 on October 13, 2025, 11:31 am

Quote from WindsorUK on October 13, 2025, 10:35 am

Personally, I'd prefer Preller to have retired!

How many managers has he had?

Had Dave Roberts and Pat Murphy, but chose the Andy Green's and Jayce Tingler's of the world. Melvin and Schildt were solid picks but neither has lasted more than 2 seasons.

At some point ownership will have to say enough is enough.

He just engineered the best four year run in Padre history (3 playoff appearances) and even extend that to six years (4 playoff years).

"liked" some of the previous GM but in a results based business ... none has this level of results over four / six seasons.

Ownership has to love him ... HIS team is packing the stadium with fans beyond the team winning.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on October 13, 2025, 11:38 am

I agree Fenn, while some probably dont like all the prospects that have been traded away, the results really do speak for themselves.

As Fenn mentioned, in the last 6 years playoffs 4 times, two years in a row, higher payroll than ever, and a sell out almost every game at Petco. Real ML players instead of has-beens and never-will-bes that we saw for way too many years. And IF someone drafted became a legitimate player, they werent traded away for peanuts and baseballs.

These are great years to be a Padre fan.

Quote from lafnboy13 on October 13, 2025, 12:01 pm

Quote from WindsorUK on October 13, 2025, 10:35 am

Personally, I'd prefer Preller to have retired!

How many managers has he had?

Had Dave Roberts and Pat Murphy, but chose the Andy Green's and Jayce Tingler's of the world. Melvin and Schildt were solid picks but neither has lasted more than 2 seasons.

At some point ownership will have to say enough is enough.

Hate him all you want but AJP has given us the most exciting decade of baseball in my lifetime. Yes, we are not going to be happy with all the moves but he wins more than he loses. Trader Jack and KT were movers as well but nowhere near the success of bringing in talent AND replenishing the system quite like AJP.

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 13, 2025, 12:40 pm

ML currently and about seven teams looking for a new manager before Shildt retired. Preller never likes to get pushed into a rush move but IF he has some initial preferred options ... will have to move quickly.

All organizations have different views on who best fits their needs / style ... so hard to tell if there is much crossover.

After Shildt and Melvin (both more "old school") might Preller shift to a more analytical type? If so, the next level of speculation will be how that effects the line-up / coaches / approach to games ... knowing Preller (and his analytical staff) they will be very involved. Need someone who meshes with Preller.