Padres casting wider net in manager search with in-house candidate and Albert Pujols

The Padres’ offseason just picked up steam, and the first real step toward defining their 2026 identity is already underway. San Diego has officially begun the interview process for its vacant managerial position, kicking things off with a familiar face inside the clubhouse. 

According to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, the club met with their bench coach Brian Esposito on Monday, the first known candidate to sit down with the front office. The move signals that the Padres are at least willing to look inward before chasing external options, a sign of measured confidence in the structure that’s already in place following Mike Shildt’s retirement.

Padres begin MLB manager search with internal option leading off

This approach also hints at something more philosophical. Baseball’s best managers often come from the same mold — thinkers, communicators, and former on-field generals who know the grind from every angle. Esposito fits that template. He’s spent years in uniform (even a brief time as Albert Pujol’s teammate) as a hands-on mentor and strategist, the type of voice players already trust to navigate the ebbs and flows of a long season. His experience working directly with pitchers and position players alike gives him a strong case as a stabilizing choice in a clubhouse that’s been through its share of managerial turnover.

San Diego’s first wave of interviews is expected to include other internal figures as well, such as pitching coach Ruben Niebla and special assistant Mark Loretta. Meanwhile, Albert Pujols is slated to meet with the Padres later this week.

San Diego’s casting a wide net here, mixing trusted voices from inside the building with big-name outsiders, to balance continuity with a fresh look at leadership. 

Historically, candidates with Esposito’s background tend to do really well when they finally get the chair. Many of baseball’s most successful skippers cut their teeth from behind the plate or in similar strategic roles, where leadership, quick decision-making, and understanding pitcher psychology are daily requirements. The ability to manage egos, read rhythms, and game-plan pitch by pitch often becomes the foundation for guiding a team through 162 games, and potentially October.

Whether Esposito gets the job or not, being the first known interview tells you a lot about how the Padres are handling this. It feels intentional and measured, built on baseball IQ more than flash. They’re checking for fit, trust, and familiarity before chasing headlines, and for a club that’s ridden a few roller coasters, that’s a smart way to lay real foundation.