VP and Assistant GM A.J. Hinch Leaving the Padres Organization

Padres Assistant GM AJ Hinch: mandatory credit goes to http://mlblogstincaps.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/4e6c106259b98-preview-620.jpg

With the Padres’ still determining who will be the club’s next General Manager, they got more news as Assistant GM A.J Hinch is on his way out in search of other career opportunities in baseball.

It is reported by Fox Sports San Diego contributor and Bleacher Report columnist Scott Miller that Hinch will be leaving the organization immediately.

Hinch, whose been with the Padres’ for the last four years,  has been working alongside Omar Minaya and Fred Ulhman Jr. since the Padres’ fired Josh Byrnes on June 22nd. He played a significant role in the trades of Huston Street, Chase Headley, and Chris Denorfia before last week’s trade deadline.

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Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler stated, ” “I want to thank A.J. for his hard work and commitment to the Padres over the past four years. He has represented the organization well, and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

In his statement to the press, Hinch added:

“During my time in San Diego, I dedicated myself to do everything I could to help this team win, in the short-term and for the long-term. These last several weeks were no exception,” said Hinch. “I think the organization is ready for a transition and I’ve made a decision and told Ron Fowler and Mike Dee that now is the right time for me to move on.   I’m proud to have always operated in the best interest of the organization and to have established long lasting relationships with people who work on and off the field in San Diego.  I wish the Padres and the new GM well in the future and look forward to the next chapter of my baseball career.”

Does this have anything to do with the hire of the new GM? It appears this way. With reports coming in that the Padres’ are getting closer to hiring their next GM, Hinch’s departure reflects narrowing down of its candidate search and that involves a change of philosophy and structuring. Yankees Assistant GM Billy Eppler is speculated to be the front-runner, but Rangers’ Assistant GM A.J. Preller has not been ruled out as well.