The San Diego Padres struck early before the official start of the Major League Baseball offseason, hiring Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin to take over in the dugout.
The Padres and Melvin agreed to a three-year deal, the team confirmed Monday morning, that brings Melvin back to the National League after 11 seasons with the Athletics. USA Today reported the contract is worth $12 million.
“Bob is one of the top managers in the game and brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and a proven track record to win at the Major League level,” Padres general manager and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said. “Throughout the process, Bob showed our group a true love of baseball and a natural presence to lead. It was immediately evident how he’s been able to bring out the best in his players throughout his managerial career. We believe that Bob is the right man to take our talented group and help them deliver a championship to the city of San Diego.”
The Athletics had picked up the option for 2022 on Melvin’s contract but allowed him to interview for the position, according to multiple media outlets. San Diego reportedly is not sending any compensation to Oakland as part of the move.
The A’s won .528 percent (853-764) of games under Melvin. He led the team to six playoff appearances (2012-14, 2018-20).
“I want to thank Bob for an incredible decade as the manager of the Oakland A’s,” team executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane said in a statement on Monday. “He leaves here as the winningest manager in Oakland history and as one of the all-time greats for this franchise. His passion for the A’s on and off the field, his brilliant mind for the game, and his professionalism in every situation made him the perfect manager for us over the last 11 years. I wish him nothing but the best in this new opportunity and beyond.”
The Padres missed the playoffs in a stacked National League West following a poor September. San Diego fired Jayce Tingler after two seasons and interviewed multiple candidates, including former White Sox and Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen and former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt.
A three-time Manager of the Year, Melvin has 18 seasons experience in that role and is 1,346-1,272 overall.
His .514 winning percentage in 2,618 games includes stints with the Seattle Mariners (2003-04), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005-09) and Oakland Athletics (2011-21).
A first-round pick in the secondary MLB draft as a catcher in 1981, Melvin had a .233 career batting average with 35 home runs and 212 RBI in 692 career games.
–Field Level Media
