Padres Josh Byrnes Out As GM

Apr 12, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres general manager Josh Byrnes prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. . Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

It is being reported by Padres.com and various websites that Josh Byrnes has been relieved of his duties as General Manager of the San Diego Padres. The organization has expressed its displeasure with the performance of the team so far this season.

With high expectations coming into 2014, the Padres sit in fourth place in the National League West with a 32-43 record 12.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants. They are on track this season to post the worst team batting average since 1910.

Byrnes was hired on by former owner Jeff Moorad before being named General Manager in 2011 when Jedd Hoyer became Vice President and GM of the Chicago Cubs.

In addition to the lack of offensive production, there has been questions about Byrnes recent signings and contract extension to players such as Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin. Most recently, Byrnes gave underperforming second baseman Jedd Gyorko a six-year contract extension worth $35 million.

In his statement to the press, Padres president and CEO Mike Dee stated:

"“This ownership group is committed to fielding a team that consistently competes for postseason play. Thus far this season, the results on the field have been mixed at best and clearly have not lived up to expectations. After a lengthy evaluation of every facet of our baseball operations, we have decided to make this change today.”"

The Padres’ management will immediately start looking for a replacement for Byrnes, but in the meantime, Vice President of Baseball Operations Omar Minaya and Assistant GMs AJ Hinch and Fred Uhlman, Jr. will act as interim GM until the team finds a suitable person.