At first glance, it seems like the San Diego Padres may have surrendered their competitive aspirations by appointing Craig Stammen as their new manager. This sentiment is shared by several other teams—including the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants—who are also undergoing significant transitions in their leadership.
The recent managerial choices reflect a broader trend in Major League Baseball, where teams are opting for younger, unconventional candidates. Stammen, along with Blake Butera, Kurt Suzuki, Craig Albernaz, and Tony Vitello, brings no prior managerial experience at the Major League level. Butera, slated to lead the Nationals, stands out as one of the youngest managers in baseball history at just 33 years old.
Many of these franchises appear to be emphasizing cost-efficiency and youthful exuberance. For instance, Vitello, an accomplished collegiate coach at the University of Tennessee, signed a lucrative three-year contract worth $3.5 million annually, with an option for a fourth year with the Giants. Buster Posey, the Giants’ president, has staked his reputation on this decision, creating both intrigue and scrutiny around the team’s direction.
Yet, with every managerial appointment comes unpredictability. As former manager Bud Black wisely noted, “That’s why you play the games.” This aphorism underscores the uncertain nature of baseball, regardless of behind-the-scenes projections or analytics.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller previously posed the question, “How did we get here?” during the press conference unveiling Stammen. This reflects the broader climate of uncertainty surrounding the team and its future. Despite outlining several attributes that Stammen brings to the table, Preller notably refrained from mentioning any prior managerial experience, focusing instead on Stammen’s long tenure within the organization.
Adding complexity to the season’s challenges, the Seidler family announced plans to consider selling the team, heightening the sense of instability. In a statement, Padres chairman John Seidler expressed a commitment to prioritize players, employees, fans, and the community while allocating resources toward a World Series championship hunt.
Despite the Padres’ new approach, other teams have made different choices in their managerial hiring processes. The Texas Rangers appointed Skip Schumaker, the Atlanta Braves secured Walt Weiss, and the Minnesota Twins selected Derek Shelton—all managers with previous big-league experience, albeit with varying degrees of success.
Interestingly, the Padres opted against pursuing a veteran manager like Bruce Bochy, a four-time World Series champion who recently parted ways with Texas. While some may see this as a missed opportunity, Preller defended the decision, highlighting Stammen’s familiarity with the team’s culture and his potential to guide the franchise to greater heights.
Preller’s leadership since taking over as GM in 2014 has included notable successes, such as assembling high-caliber rosters that resulted in two consecutive seasons with at least 90 wins. However, early playoff exits led to the dismissal of former manager Mike Shildt, raising questions about the team’s trajectory.
Notably, Stammen is Preller’s ninth managerial hire, which includes three interim managers. Preller’s track record with these appointments raises eyebrows, especially considering that former Padres managers like Dave Roberts and Pat Murphy have since flourished elsewhere.
Interestingly enough, pitchers historically have not transitioned well into managerial roles, as evidenced by Bud Black’s tenure. A credible pitcher in his own right, Black’s managerial win-loss record stands as one of the lowest in baseball history among those managing over 2,500 games, signaling the challenges associated with this career shift.
Only five pitchers have won the World Series as managers, including the likes of Tommy Lasorda and John Farrell, demonstrating the rarity of such successes. When pressed about managing aspirations during his playing days, Stammen admitted to having considered it briefly but also acknowledged the challenges that come with being a pitcher turned manager.
Ultimately, whether Preller’s confidence in Stammen is well-placed or misguided will unfold in the coming seasons. As the Padres endeavor to capture their first World Series title, they are banking on Stammen’s unique perspective and the strength of their roster. However, the historical context suggests caution.
