Sep 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Jose Iglesias (7) celebrates with catcher Freddy Fermin (54) after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – The Padres are inching closer to naming their next manager, and according to team sources, the search has entered its final stage.
A handful of names remain in the running — and it’s an intriguing mix. Among them: current pitching coach Rubén Niebla, former Padres catcher Nick Hundley, and, perhaps most surprisingly, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. One or two other candidates are believed to still be in the mix, though their identities remain under wraps.
The search began after Mike Shildt stepped down on October 13 following two seasons at the helm. While the team hasn’t set a specific deadline, insiders say the process has advanced past the initial interview stage — meaning a decision could come in the next several days.
“It’s really about getting quality candidates together and being thorough with our process,” general manager A.J. Preller said earlier this month.
Familiar Faces, Big Names, and New Directions
Niebla is the most logical internal option — and a popular one in the clubhouse. The longtime pitching coach has been a stabilizing force for a staff that’s endured its share of turnover, and he’s widely respected for his communication and player development skills. Several Padres pitchers have credited him with career-best stretches, and Niebla has openly expressed interest in managing one day.
Hundley, meanwhile, would represent a homecoming. The former Padres backstop spent seven seasons in San Diego (2008–14) and remains one of the most well-liked players of that era. After retiring in 2019, he joined the Rangers’ front office as a special assistant in 2022, working alongside Preller’s old connections in Texas. Hundley’s leadership and deep ties to the organization could make him a dark-horse favorite — especially if the Padres are looking for a manager who understands the fan base and the unique pressure of Petco Park.
Then there’s Pujols — the wild card. The three-time MVP and two-time World Series champion has dabbled in coaching since his retirement, serving as a special assistant with the Angels and as manager of Leones del Escogido, who won the 2025 Caribbean Series. His legendary résumé and deep baseball IQ make him a fascinating, if unconventional, candidate.
Whoever gets the job will inherit a team with a playoff-ready core but several big questions. The Padres are coming off back-to-back postseason appearances for just the second time in franchise history — but the next step is the one that has eluded San Diego for decades: winning the World Series.
“I think it’s a really attractive job,” Preller said. “You’ve got three and a half million fans coming to the ballpark every year. It’s as good an atmosphere as there is in the game. We produce players, we put talented rosters on the field, and we go to the playoffs. I think it’s the challenge of winning a World Series in a city that hasn’t done it before.”
