Who saw this one coming?
According to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell, the San Diego Padres have tapped current/former Oakland Athletics' manager Bob Melvin as their next manager.
After flirting with a first-time manager in Jayce Tingler over a roster built with sky-high expectations, A.J. Preller indeed went the experienced route with the respected Bob Melvin. Although the 60-year old "Mad Scientist" was under contract with the A's for the 2022 season, he was allowed to interview for the Padres, agreeing to a three-year contract.
The three-time manager of the year for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 and Oakland A's in 2012 and 2018, Melvin takes on a talented roster featuring Fernando Tatís Jr., Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth, Trent Grisham, Blake Snell, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove that will strive to do something that hasn't been done since 2006 under Bruce Bochy, win the National League West...
Under Melvin's tutelage, the Oakland A's won three division championships (2012, 2013, 2020) and six playoff berths (2012-2014, 2018-2020) in 11 years.
This is a developing story so stay tuned!
photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images