Padres managerial race just got hit with an uncomfortable Catch-22

The San Diego Padres' hunt for their next manager has just added another layer of drama. It hasn't been a seamless process in the public eye since Mike Shildt resigned from the position, but the Friars' manager job still remains one of the most desirable vacant gigs in the game.

But another hiccup has been discovered. It seems like the Padres are down to three candidates, including pitching coach Ruben Niebla. Niebla has been so central to the Padres' success on the mound over the last few seasons, and his value has reached the territory of being irreplaceable.

So, this puts the Padres in a bit of a bind because if Niebla is not selected as the next manager of the Padres, he may just try and find a head coaching job elsewhere. We don't want that. At all. Niebla needs to stay in the Padres' clubhouse, but the only option may be to promote him to manager.

Niebla's entire Padres pitching staff in 2025 posted a 3.63 ERA, which was fourth-best in the National League. San Diego's bullpen bolstered a 3.06 ERA, which led all of Major League Baseball. Much of the credit has to go to Niebla, who is respected in every corner of clubhouse. He brings a player's first approach. He helped to spearhead a biomechanics lab to improve pitchers. He's a genius in the eyes of many fans.

He transitioned Michael King into a full-time starter. King finished seventh in the NL Cy Young voting in his first season with the team. Niebla also helped turn Nick Pivetta into one of the best arms in the bigs, and definitely San Diego's best starter in 2025. With Mason Miller potentially moving to the starting rotation, it made sense because it was under Niebla's watch. There was credibility in making that move, but if Niebla is gone, that could spell trouble.

Obviously, the Padres could feel that Albert Pujols or Nick Hundley are better managing options, but they will have to understand that choosing one of them over Niebla could likely mean that he will seek manager opportunities elsewhere. His days of being a pitching coach may be over, and tat will be a difficult wound to patch up. San Diego's pitching staff will hurt exponentially with his departure, but Niebla deserves to climb the ladder.