The po sibility of a managerial change in San Diego rose back to the forefront yesterday, as the Padres for the Giants to speak with Bob Melvin. The three-time Manager of the Year, whos familiar with both the Bay Area and San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi from his long stint with the As, now seems a strong candidate to leave San Diego for a division rival. Melvin is under contract with the Padres for next season. As a result, the Friars could Mike Baumann Jersey require compensation to approve him taking the job elsewhere. writes that the Padres may not demand more than a marginal return to allow the veteran skipper to depart, however. Thats a reflection of the apparently strained relationship between Melvin and baseball operations leader A.J. Preller. Multiple late-season reports indicated there was a strong divide between the two. San Diego ownership clearly doesnt believe the situation had become untenable. After a meeting between Preller, Melvin and chairman Peter Seidler, the organization announced a few weeks ago that Melvin would return. However, the Giants interest could afford San Diego a fresh start while clearing Melvins $4MM salary. Had he been fired, the Padres wouldve remained on the hook for the money. If Melvin heads to San Francisco, the Padres have a few internal candidates to take his place. Bench coach Ryan Flaherty and senior advisor Mike Shildt seem the likeliest options. In a piece at , Britt Ghiroli and Lin write that the 37-year-old Flaherty is highly regarded within the organization and seemingly has a strong relationship with Preller. As a result, they suggest the former Orioles infielder appears the top internal option. By contrast, casts Shildt as the in-house potential favorite. The 55-year-old has prior MLB managerial experience, having led the Cardinals from midway through 2018 until he was dismi sed after the 21 season due to what St. Louis called philosophical differences with the front office. (Flahertys only managerial experience consisted of a two-week interim stint in 2022 while Melvin was recovering from surgery.) Shildt has spent the last two years working with Prellers front office and has been open about his hope for another managerial position. Both The Athletic and the Union-Tribune suggest San Diego could also consider external opportunities. Its too soon to say with certainty that Melvin is even departing, much le s the position will come down to Flaherty or Shildt. Given the Giants of finalizing their hire before the start of free agency, there figures to be a resolution within the relatively near future. Jhonny Pereda Jersey