Former Padres World Series starter eyes jump from broadcast booth to manager search

We may be seeing a new candidate enter the competition right before our eyes, as former Padres catcher Carlos Hernández announced his interest to interview for the team’s managerial vacancy.

Hernández’s tenure with the Padres came near the end of his career, during which he played 350 games from 1997 to 2000, batting .269 during that stretch. In 2011, he joined the team’s Spanish telecasts as a color analyst. However, Hernández is looking for a bit more out of the Padres, and has expressed his interest in becoming the 23rd manager in the team’s history.

Carlos Hernandez expresses interest in Padres manager job

“I want to see the San Diego Padres win a championship,” said Hernández. “I got too close as a player, and even here, too, as a broadcaster. But I want to make it as a manager.”

The now 58-year-old Hernández came very close to winning a World Series in 1998 but fell just short, as the Padres were swept by the New York Yankees.

A.J. Preller has an interview set up with Albert Pujols on Wednesday, as the future Hall of Famer has expressed interest in taking on an open managerial vacancy. Though it won’t be with his old team in the Los Angeles Angels, as they have finalized a deal with former journeyman catcher Kurt Suzuki.

However, with the Hernández rumors picking up quickly, there is one fact about him that may deter Padres fans from wanting him as their manager: he spent the majority of his career with the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers. But don’t worry — it’s not as though he was putting up career numbers during his time with them, as his -1.4 bWAR over six seasons proves quite the opposite.

The Padres already have their list of candidates to consider, including Pujols as well as former assistant coaches from other clubs. Adding Hernández to the shortlist of candidates would certainly make Preller’s job a little more complicated.