Padres News: Pat Murphy to Be Brewers Bench Coach According to Sources

While the Padres managerial search continues, former Padres interim manager Pat Murphy now knows exactly where he will be come 2016. Dennis Lin reports the announcement will be made next week according to sources that informed the San Diego Union Tribune. It is a good move for the long-time minor league manager who was given his first shot at managing in the majors this season for the Padres after they fired Bud Black. He joins Craig Counsell who is the Brewers current manager.

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Craig Counsell, remembered for his own 1997 World Series heroics and funny batting stance, played for Murphy at Notre Dame and has remained close with his former coach. The Brewers challenged for the NL Central for a large part of the 2014 season before faltering last season after losing staff ace Yovani Gallardo over the off-season.

While it will certainly help to have a veteran manager and coach on his bench, you have to wonder if Murphy has his eye on managing again in the major leagues. He was arguably not given a fair shot this season with the Padres, inheriting a .500 team and only managing to go 42-54 on his own down the stretch.

Milwaukee went 68-94 last season though besides Ryan Braun is clearly in rebuilding mode of its own and is likely to shed other players like Jonathan Lucroy before getting better. Murphy minor league experience with younger players will aid him in mentoring the next wave of Brewers as they compete in the talented NL Central which sent 3 of the 5 NL playoff contestants.

The Padres own bench coach Dave Roberts was reported as interviewing for the Mariners, and with Bud Black a finalist for the Washington Nationals job, he could bring Padres coaches like Roberts and possibly even pitching coach Darren Balsley.

So while last off-season AJ Preller focused on remaking the players on the team, he could spend this whole off-season remaking the coaching staff.

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