Quote from fenn68 on September 30, 2023, 8:25 am

Mike Shildt who is Preller’s “Player Development Consultant” in the front office and serves as his spy in the dugout in 2023 … so he knows the club and its inter workings. Apparently he can work with Preller … that is a key.

Remember Shildt was a very successful manager in StL before unceremoniously fired for some reason. Only 55, and comes as a long time StL organization man … and organization that many like to emulate for thier continued success. Many thought he would get another manager job quickly after being fired.

Experience … success … knows the team / players … works well with Preller … what is not to like.

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Then they promote Ryan Flaherty (Machado’s bestie) to #1 bench coach and Shildt’s right hand man … just to keep Manny as happy as the can (no easy task apparently).

Quote from Jeremy Hill on September 30, 2023, 4:42 pm

It might somewhat depend on how involved Seidler is in the decision making process. Melvin was sort of a compromise between Preller and Seidler from what I remember. Seidler's preference is reportedly to keep Melvin. Promoting Shildt might be the closest thing to keeping Melvin if Melvin is out.

Preller went with Andy Green and Jayce Tingler when left to make the decision on his own. Both were 1st time managers who had worked their way up. Flaherty would fit in that regard.

I would kind of like to see Will Venable. A former Padres who's worked in the front office and in the dugout. He's already popular with the fan base and might be able to better manage the front office/clubhouse dynamic.

Quote from fenn68 on September 30, 2023, 5:14 pm

Flaherty might be the guy … seems to be well thought of as a future manager by a lot of folks. IF the Padres think they are a playoff team in 2024 … might lean towards an in-house candidate who already knows (and has a relationship) the players and what appears to be more important … the required relationship with the front office.

Shildt looks to be another in-house guy … brought in by Preller and working with him after a successful winning stint in StL. He was a life long Cardinal until his firing. So, on the surface, he is a strong option. However, with that history in StL got fired … officially “philosophical differences” which generally covers the real reasons. Did read what was reported to be a transcript of a year end meeting with Shildt and the GM / front office (sort of like Monday’s Padre meeting) … someone supposedly had taped the meeting. Shildt really came off as a jerk (even if he was trying to be funny or running a practical joke) with everyone in the room and especially the GM. Got fired soon after. No idea if true but something Preller should have discussed with Shildt at some point. Sort of a be cautions if you go the Shildt way.

Quote from sportwarrior on October 2, 2023, 10:50 am

It would be such an enormous mistake to let Melvin walk away, and especially to the Giants. I see this as a direct parallel to the decision the Chargers had to make after the 2006 season, when the organization had to choose between AJ Smith and Marty Schottenheimer after a disappointing finish to a 14-2 season. That was also viewed as an untenable relationship in many of the same ways as the one between AJ Preller and Bob Melvin. The problem now, as it was then, was with an AJ's arguably toxic approach to organizational management. You don't find a manager that's ok with the toxicity. You fix the toxicity itself.

Anyway, Bob Melvin needs to stay. That means he won't, and instead will go to the Giants, and it'll be another replay of Bochy / Roberts.

Quote from fenn68 on October 2, 2023, 11:17 am

This is probably a difficult call than most fans think just looking at the surface level of like (or not) Melvin and/or Preller.

IF Siedler believes at the core ... this team is a legit contender in 2024 ... how can he comfortable with firing the GM (and the new GM will have to learn the team and build a staff ... along with other front office personnel leaving) all that with trying to improve the team. Same goes for the manager, a new manager (different style) has to learn the team and the players have to become comfortable with him (and the new coaches he brings in) .. and the Padres have some big name big money guys that are not easily managed.

Siedler also has to evaluate the impact of any conflict between Melvin and Preller ... does that personality conflict really impact the on-field performance?

In one view ... changing the GM/Manager now will cause too much short run issues and probably not lead to any improvement (maybe worse) for 2024. Of course if they want to punt on 2024?

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 3, 2023, 3:18 pm

Phil Nevin is available

 

Quote from WindsorUK on October 3, 2023, 3:50 pm

Sounds like Seidler is letting ride one more year?

Personally, the sooner Preller is gone, the better.

Quote from 84padres on October 4, 2023, 4:05 am

Quote from WindsorUK on October 3, 2023, 3:50 pm

Sounds like Seidler is letting ride one more year?

Personally, the sooner Preller is gone, the better.

I hate to think Preller's the problem , but he's making a believer out of me

Quote from fenn68 on October 4, 2023, 6:21 am

I have moved from pretty neutral on Preller to believing they cannot become a sustained contender with Preller on the helm. At some point have to look at the results over his tenure ... and that is with a pretty robust financial support from Seidler ... not good. Sure can always cherry pick to perceived good to support Preller (e.g. scouting) but that does not override overall performance.

As long as Seidler is making the call ... Preller is not being removed (at least not now). They are more aligned than most seem to think. Actually not sure how many of the recent moves (FA signings, unwarranted extensions) were driven by Seidler as much (or more) than by Preller. So, for now, think Preller gets at least one more year. Plus if the organization still thinks they can contend in 2024 with some strategic moves (given the payroll target) ... getting a new GM ... and the time it would take to hire and get him up to speed ... would likely would be too late make the moves as other teams are picking off the FA/trade pieces needed.

I would take that down to Melvin too (he is likely gone after 2024 anyway) ... where change at this point may do more to disrupt the clubhouse ... plus given the past record of hiring manager there is no guarantee of an upgrade.  So (unless Melvin pushes to be let go) he likely stays.

Seidler et al will make some subtle role adjustments to clarify the Preller - Melvin positions ... that may impact coaches or maybe just keep Preller out of the dugout or insert an "in-between" for communication purposes.

Of course if they "punt" on 2024 and dive into a rebuild (not expecting that) ... everyone goes. For me, it is Seidler's view of 2024 that is the critical issue ... less about the Preller or Melvin. Sort run changes will not help.

Now if as reported Seidler (because of health) is pulling back now ... no idea for how long ... but if the reigns are handed over to the business side (not being handed over to Preller) ... next winter we will see Melvin gone for sure and probably Preller as they get "their guy(s)" in as head of Baseball Operations plus a GM who will in turn want "his" Manager. Paraphrasing "follow the money" with "follow the decision makers".

Side: IF Melvin precipitates his departure ... would think the best move for 2024 would be an internal move with the leading candidates being Shildt or Flaherty for continuity with the players and with a first hand understanding of their pluses and minus and what makes the tick without wasting months to get the manager / players on the same page and with an understanding of Preller's work relationship.