Padres GM Search Update, Front Office News & Notes

Another day, and more news comes out about the on-going search to hire a new general manager for the San Diego Padres. Scott Miller of Fox Sports San Diego is now reporting that the finalists for the Padres’ front office boss job have been announced:

As stated by Nelson, the Padres are expected to hold the next round of interviews with the final candidates this next week. That continues to put the Padres right on schedule to have if needed, an even slimmer selection of candidates back for a possible third round of interviews, along with giving the ownership group time to discuss the various pros and cons of each candidate, and to prepare an offer for their selection. This also will keep the Padres’ on schedule to announce their new general manager shortly after the July 31st non-waiver trading deadline.

  Other News & Notes From The Front Office: Rosenthal had also reported earlier via Twitter, that former San Diego Padres’ GM and current Arizona Diamondbacks GM, Kevin Towers could be brought back to the organization in a senior advisory role if he is let go from his current position at season’s end. Towers could help the newly hired GM for the Padres in the rebuilding process.

Just as fast as Rosenthal had reported the news of a possible Padres/Towers reunion, Friar’s CEO Mike Dee corrected the Fox Sports and MLB Insider, stating that any personnel hires for the front office will be made by the new general manager, and that Kevin Towers was not a candidate for that position.

Whether it’s putting the cart before the horse, or not wanting to spook a new GM candidate away by thinking that Towers would be running the show, the former Padres’ GM was the most successful in the franchise’s history at building rosters, and having regular season success. Bringing back Towers in any role to help the newly hired GM, would be a smart move for the Padres, similar to what the Chicago Cubs have done with the Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer duo.