The San Diego Padres have their new manager. The club has hired Bob Melvin away from the Oakland Athletics and signed him to a new three-year contract, reports MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. The Padres have not yet confirmed the news.
Earlier this year the Athletics exercised the 2022 club option in Melvin’s contract. Because Melvin was under contract, the A’s had to give the Padres permission to interview him, and apparently that was granted. The Athletic’s Dennis Lin says Oakland will not receive any compensation for letting Melvin out of his contract. They will now begin a search for a new manager.
Melvin, 60, has been one of the best and most highly regarded managers in baseball over the last two decades or so. He joined the Athletics in 2011 and led the club to the postseason six times. Only the big market Dodgers went to the postseason more times than Oakland from 2012-20. The A’s were 853-764 (.528) under Melvin.
Prior to joining the Athletics, Melvin managed the Mariners (2003-04) and Diamondbacks (2005-09), and he is a three-time Manager of the Year (2007, 2012, 2018). Melvin’s career managerial record is 1,346-1,272 (.514). His MLB resume also includes 10 years as a player, plus time as a scout, bench coach, and assistant general manager. He’s done it all.
The Padres went into 2021 as a World Series contender and instead flopped to a 79-83 record. Manager Jayce Tingler was let go after the season and Melvin brings the qualities and bona fides Tingler lacked. He’s experienced, he’s won, and he’s an instant credibility guy when he walks into the clubhouse. Melvin is a tremendous hire for the Padres, truly.
As for the Athletics, letting Melvin leave is very likely the first domino in a long offseason of cost-cutting. The club cut payroll this past season and will likely do so again next year as they seek a new ballpark. It should surprise no one if roster stalwarts Chris Bassitt, Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea, and Matt Olson pop up in trade rumors in the coming weeks.
