Front Row Seat: Fernando Tatis Jr. nominated for Gold Glove Award
There's no way he wasn't the best outfielder in the game this year.
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Darren Smith
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. nominated for 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award - Gaslamp Ball
San Diego Padres star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. received criticism from the Friar Faithful for his lack of power at the plate in 2025, but no one criticized his defense. In fact, that was one of the many reasons to take in a game at Petco Park. You wanted to be able to say, “I was there when Fernando did…”. The rest of MLB must have been impressed with Tatis Jr.’s defense as well, as he was one of three right fielders named as 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Finalists.
How the Padres’ managerial opening compares to the rest - San Diego Union-Tribune
The Texas Rangers moved quickly, sliding Skip Schumaker from a senior advisor role in the front office into the dugout as the replacement for Bruce Bochy. That left seven managerial openings across the game before Mike Shildt announced his decision to retire.
Of those teams, the Padres are the only franchise coming off a postseason berth. They pared spending from $282.8 million in 2023, per Spotrac, to $185.9 million in 2024. While payroll jumped up to $228.6 million this year, there is no indication the Padres will spend like they did two years ago.
That said, baseball ops chief A.J. Preller is as inventive as any in the game. And the results — four playoff berths over the last six years — are unprecedented in franchise history.
NL Rival Reportedly Targeting Cubs Bench Coach Ryan Flaherty For Manager Role - Sports Illustrated
Flaherty began working for the Padres after his playing career came to a close and worked his way all the way up to bench coach during the 2023 season after serving as acting manager in 2022 when Bob Melvin was in COVID protocol.
When Shildt got the job two years ago following Melvin leaving, he and Flaherty were the two top candidates for the job, but losing out caused him to join Craig Counsell's staff in Chicago instead. Now that Shildt is out of the picture, it would make a lot of sense for San Diego to return and offer the job.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers Catcher No Longer in Running For Chicago White Sox Manager Job - Sports Illustrated
McCullough was eliminated from the race by the White Sox while Ellis took himself out of the running because of family concerns.
Ellis played 11 years in the big leagues with the Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and Padres. He was a .239 career hitter who served as Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher with LA. He has been working in more of a front office role with the Padres since his playing career ended and is still highly-regarded as a managerial candidate in the future.
