Mike Shildt’s exit reopened a vital managerial gap just as the team looked to rebuild its postseason aspirations. And amid that issue, a former star and a respected voice in the Padres broadcast booth, who knows the city, the team, and the team’s hunger, has come forward.

Carlos Hernández, the Padres’ starting catcher during the 1998 World Series run, has highlighted his interest in filling the managerial gap. Longtime reporter of the team Dennis Lin shared the news. “Carlos Hernández, longtime broadcaster and starting catcher for the 1998 Padres, is interested in San Diego’s managerial opening.”

The Venezuelan native said to The Athletic, “I want to see the San Diego Padres win a championship. I got too close as a player, and even here as a broadcaster. But I want to make it as a manager.” But the Padres fans are now curious whether his limited coaching experience could affect Hernández’s scopes.

While Hernández’s professional resume contains stints in Venezuela’s Winter League and Mexico’s Summer League, he has also worked as a catching coordinator for the Padres and the Diamondbacks. And that ties him to star development. Hernández’s bilingualism could also become invaluable, aligning with the Padres’ diverse roster, with Latin stars like Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado.

His coaching narrative draws largely from veterans Hernández once played under, like Bruce Bochy and Tony La Russa. “When I got to San Diego is when I started feeling love for the game again,” Hernández shared. “They told me, ‘The job is yours. You lose it if you lose it.’ That’s how I’d lead — by trust.”

Whether Hernández gets the position or not, he has made it clear that he is prepared to turn his long link with the team into something larger.

Meanwhile, the front office looks poised for stability at the top.

A.J. Preller is prepared to get an extension amid the Padres’ managerial search

Reports say that A.J. Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, is projected to get a multi-season deal extension as he enters the final season of his deal in 2026. The team’s CEO, Erik Greupner, confirmed the news on 97.3-FM San Diego that an extension talk is going on.

“We’re optimistic that A.J. will be our president of baseball operations past 2026.”

The chairman also highlighted that John Seidler is “taking the lead” in negotiations. He also added that talks started as soon as the offseason began. The update links with earlier data from The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Ken Rosenthal, and Dennis Lin.

They all highlighted that Preller has a powerful link with the management and remains committed to bringing a win to the team.

Despite speculation related to an internal issue between Greupner and Preller, they have downplayed any rift. “It’s much ado about nothing,” Greupner said, highlighting their focus on winning.