The San Diego Padres are hiring Mike Shildt as their new manager, sources tell ESPN, turning to the former St. Louis Cardinals manager to replace Bob Melvin, who left the team for division rival San Francisco.
Shildt, 55, served as senior adviser for the Padres after the Cardinals surprisingly let him go following the 2021 season, and was seen as the favorite to take over after San Diego granted Melvin permission to talk with the Giants about their job despite having one year remaining on his contract.
The Padres entered the 2023 season with World Series aspirations — and wound up in a season-long tailspin that left them at 82-80.
Despite a record payroll approaching $250 million and a team laden with stars, the Padres faltered, finishing behind the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, who made it to the World Series out of a wild-card spot.