The offseason brings hope and optimism for baseball fans. Often, three things must happen for their team to be in contention for a postseason berth. For the San Diego Padres, they have a roster filled with impactful players who failed to live up to expectations in 2023.
But the team has the capabilities to dominate opponents and provide the Friar Faithful with a memorable season. The Padres front office cannot short-circuit their attempt to become postseason contenders by trading some of their big-name talent away. They must remember there are no shortcuts to winning.
Today, my mission is to identify three things that must happen for the San Diego Padres to win the 2024 World Series
First, let Mike Shildt manage his way
The Friars hired Mike Shildt as manager for the 2024 season. He understands what it takes to make the postseason. And Shildt may have the voice to lead this star-laden roster to a World Series title.
The new Padres skipper is a baseball lifer. He began his career as a scout with the St. Louis Cardinals before moving into the player development side of the organization. Shildt worked his way through the minor league system before being named interim Cardinals manager in 2018.
Team management removed the interim label the following offseason. All Shildt did during his tenure as Cardinals manager was lead them to three straight playoff appearances before being shown the door.
The Padres front office believes Shildt has a passion for baseball that will resonate well with the players that populate the clubhouse. He recognizes what matters to them, as Shildt understands the sacrifices made on their journey to the majors. He fights for his players even if it means being tossed from a game.
Shildt embraces making those tough managerial decisions each day. He processes everything that takes place on the field. Hopefully, the stored information will be helpful to win a game later in the season.
Still, Shildt knows his 2024 mandate: win the World Series or bust!