San Diego Padres: Why Bruce Bochy should be the next manager
Preller’s Job Security Will Come Under Scrutiny
Curiosity definitely surrounds the next managerial choice of the Padres as Preller needs to get this hire right for his own job security. I mean you can go only so far boasting about having “the best farm system in baseball” without receiving some criticism for the lack of results on the field. His free-agent signings of Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado haven’t made much of an impact in the lineup either.
Preller cannot hire another manager short on experience and has no say on the structure of the batting lineup or the usage of the pitching staff. No, choosing a rookie skipper comes with growing pains that could stagnate the growth and development of this young roster. Another losing season could intensify the scrutiny on Preller’s job security as questions will be raised on his reluctance to make the necessary changes to put the Padres in a better position to compete on the field.
It’s smarter to opt for a veteran manager who gains immediate credibility inside the clubhouse and with the loyal fanbase. There is no better candidate than Bochy, but Preller must treat him as an equal partner in the process and not some subordinate chose to carry out his orders.
Can Bochy Be Coax Out of Retirement?
If this move is going to take place, then the Padres need to act fast and bring Bochy into the fold before he chooses to stay retired. However, this rumor won’t go away until he takes himself out of consideration for the open managerial position in San Diego.
It may come down to if Bochy is content with staying home and just waiting for a call from Cooperstown. If the fire is still burning inside him, then he will be sitting inside a dugout next summer. Plus, the temptation to mold a young, inexperienced team into a playoff contender might be enough for Bochy to put up with the endless travel and daily grind that comes with the title of major league manager for a few more seasons. Any agreement with Bochy will be short-term, likely a two or three-year deal.
Bochy’s retirement announcement had a feel of someone staying too long at the party. Now, I’m not trying to imply the front office wanted to push him out the door, but they were ready to usher in a new era of Giants baseball. They tried to debunk the rumors of Bochy being forced out as the team’s manager because of the hire of Farhan Zaidi as the President of Baseball Operations last November. The Giants wanted 2019 to be a season that saluted Bochy’s contributions to the organization before Zaidi was allowed free reign to rebuild the roster.