Padres hire Bob Melvin as manager, per report

In a stunning development, the Padres have hired Bob Melvin as their new manager. Melvin, who had managed the Athletics for the last 11 seasons and was still under contract, agreed to a three-year deal with San Diego, as MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell reported Thursday night:

Melvin, who was the longest-tenured manager in baseball, just finished the third and final guaranteed season of his contract with the A’s, but they had picked up his option for 2022. The Athletics allowed him to interview and will not receive compensation as he departs.

Melvin managed the Mariners for two seasons and the Diamondbacks for five before joining the A’s. Over 11 seasons in Oakland, he had an 853-764 record and led the Athletics to six playoff appearances, though they never advanced past the ALDS under his watch. He finishes his tenure in Oakland as the second-winningest manager in franchise history (though he’s 2,729 wins behind Connie Mack, who was with the franchise for 50 years).

He’s a massive addition for a Padres club that seemed to need more of a veteran presence in the dugout in 2021, as the team’s lack of chemistry seemed to affect their results on the field. If Melvin is able to have a positive effect on an ultra-talented Padres roster that is headlined by superstars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, they’ll have a legitimate chance to compete with the Dodgers and Giants for the NL West title in 2022.

The Athletics’ staff features a couple of coaches, Mark Kotsay and Mike Aldrete, who have been viewed as intriguing managerial candidates in the past. While Braves third base coach Ron Washington will be 70 next season and may not be the guy the A’s are looking for as they likely move towards somewhat of a reset, he does have a longstanding relationship with the Billy Beane-David Forst front office and has had two stints as a coach in Oakland. If they’re looking for another veteran manager to replace Melvin, he could be an option.