Padres’ now-former manager Mike Shildt dropped a bombshell when he announced his retirement, saying, “the grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically, and emotionally.” And that one line has cracked open what feels like a Pandora’s box inside the Padres clubhouse.

Well, Shildt’s sudden departure has everyone talking, and not just because the Padres had a solid year. In fact, the team’s been consistent, with 93 wins last season and 90 this year. So it’s not like there was a collapse or front-office pressure to blame. But according to MLB insider Jon Heyman, there’s more beneath the surface.

“Sources suggest one of the coaches was recently so upset after feeling insulted by Shildt that a fight nearly broke out. Shildt gained a reputation as blunt and temperamental in St. Louis, where he was fired after an excellent season. In St. Louis, the feeling was that he didn’t treat the support staff appropriately. So the situation is somewhat similar.” Heyman shared what could be a career-defining move for Shildt.

Apparently, tension and discontent among the coaching staff may have played a big part in Shildt’s decision. Thus, suggesting that even a winning record doesn’t always tell the full story of what’s really going on behind the scenes.

Back in 2021, the Cardinals dismissed Mike Shildt, citing “philosophical differences,” a phrase that masked deeper tension over analytics, roster control, and his firm, traditionalist approach. Known for standing his ground, Shildt’s fundamentals-first style often clashed with data-driven leadership—a dynamic that has seemingly followed him to San Diego. Under GM A.J. Preller, the Padres have seen a revolving door of managers—Bud Black, Andy Green, Jayce Tingler, Bob Melvin, and now Shildt—each exit shadowed by communication breakdowns and differing visions.

Now, despite Shildt’s claim that stepping down was his personal decision, reports suggest internal strain played a major role. According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, at least one coach felt mistreated by Shildt, echoing past patterns of friction. Together, it paints a picture of ongoing disconnect within the Padres’ clubhouse, where success on the field continues to be undermined by instability behind the scenes.

“One of the reasons I am going to leave is a frustration with the stress and the inability to please everybody,” Shildt said on moving away from the Cardinals. Check how this statement matches with what he said now. “There’s always going to be tension in a high-performance atmosphere.” Padres general manager A.J. Preller has also acknowledged what went wrong in the clubhouse.

The Padres have more work to do before the offseason

Just before going all guns blazing in the upcoming offseason, the Padres now have a larger work to do to confirm their new manager.

And it’s not just the Padres looking for a new skipper. A few other teams, like the Angels, Giants, Rangers, Braves, Twins, Rockies, Nationals, and Orioles, are all in the market too. So yeah, it’s going to be a crowded field, and San Diego won’t exactly have an open lane to land their next manager.

So, who could be in?

One name that stands out is Ryan Flaherty. At 39, he could be a younger alternative to Shildt. For the unversed, he was actually a finalist for the Padres’ job before Shildt got it in 2023. And even served as acting manager for a short stint in 2022 when Bob Melvin was out recovering from surgery. So, if the Padres decide to go with a first-time manager, Flaherty could be an ideal fit!

Another interesting option is Brandon Hyde, the 2023 AL Manager of the Year. He took the fall for Baltimore’s slow start and was fired just 43 games into the 2025 season. However, he never actually managed or coached in his home state. And Hyde is expected to be one of the most sought-after candidates this offseason.

Well, whichever direction the Padres go, the expectation will be the same… Finding someone who can finally lead this talented roster to that long-awaited World Series ring. The one that’s still missing from San Diego’s trophy case.