Padres News: Managerial Search Winding Down

As the San Diego Padres and General Manager AJ Preller have kept mostly mum about exactly what is wanted in a new manager, Preller has interviewed at least seven candidates for the job. Now, with the calendar turning to November in just about a week, that search is starting to narrow all by itself. Scott Servais, who had interviewed for the job a couple of weeks ago, was offered the Seattle Mariners managing position. It will be his first managing position at any level.

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That leaves former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, former player Alex Cora, former Padres Phil Nevin, Arizona third base coach Andy Green, Pirates third base Rick Scofield and Padres hitting coach Mark Kotsay as what is perceived to be the remaining candidates. In any event the Padres certainly will have some other changes on their coaching staff next season. Dave Roberts also interviewed for the Mariners job and it is pretty likely that a new manager would bring along some of their own coaches as well.

Corey Brock reports that Preller is keeping all of his options open, but with the Padres veteran players it is highly expected the Padres will hire a veteran manager like Gardenhire to help manage all of those personalities and talents.

"“Experience brings a lot of factors to the mix, a been-there, done-that quality, and with a lot of big league managers, that second or third job they’ve done better based on what they’ve learned from past experiences.”"

So on note it seems that Preller is validating that speculation. Of course his next line pretty much negates that thought right away:

"“But there have also been cases with first-year guys where they’ve come in and done really well.”"

Thanks for the help A.J.. As the Padres watch what will likely be a dramatic World Series between two teams that collectively haven’t won a World Series for 49 years it can give them hope that next year it might be the Padres turn to win the first World Series in franchise history. The answer to the question of who will be leading them is getting closer to being discovered.

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