Bob Melvin to return as Padres manager in 2024, GM says - ESPN

SAN DIEGO — Bob Melvin will be back as manager of the big-spending San Diego Padres following the most disappointing season in franchise history, general manager A.J. Preller said Wednesday.

The GM also downplayed reports of a fractured relationship with Melvin, who has guided the Padres to the only two winning records in a full season under Preller and has a year left on his contract.

«Bob is our manager and is going to be our manager going forward,» Preller said during a video news conference. «A lot's been said in the last few weeks, obviously, but both he and I are very excited about the challenge of getting this group back to the postseason next year.»

The announcement came three days after the star-laden Padres finished 82-80. They were eliminated from playoff contention on Friday night, a bitter result for a team that entered the season with World Series aspirations after making a stirring run to the NL Championship Series last fall and then increasing their payroll to around $258 million on Opening Day, the third-highest in baseball.

Melvin finished his second season with San Diego and 20th overall as a big league manager. Preller, on his fifth manager since his hiring in August 2014. minimized discord.

«From my standpoint, a lot's been overblown,» Preller said. «There have been reports that, hey, we don't speak. We're talking four or five times a day. Personally, we have a friendship. I don't put a lot of stock into the unnamed reports and sources and stories that are out of context.»

Melvin didn't respond to a text seeking comment and the team didn't make him available. He's been voted Manger of the Year three times, including in both leagues.

«Both he and I are very excited about the challenge of getting this