Ron Gardenhire and Rick Sofield are the two finalists for the Padres’ manager job, with an official hiring possible either Thursday or Monday, sources told the Union-Tribune.

Gardenhire, the former longtime manager of the Minnesota Twins, is currently the favorite, though it’s believed Padres General Manager A.J. Preller has not reached a final decision. Both candidates recently received second interviews in what has been a wide-ranging search.

Ultimately, it appears, the Padres will settle on one of two 58-year-olds, each with a reputation as a passionate field leader. Gardenhire, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, won six American League Central championships in 13 seasons guiding the small-market Twins. While Sofield, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ third-base coach, has not managed at the major league level, he has learned under one of the game’s most successful skippers, Clint Hurdle, and is known for his energetic style.

Major League Baseball discourages clubs from making significant announcements during the World Series, but the league is more lenient in regard to off-days. This year’s series has two scheduled: today and Monday.


When the hiring is made, it would end a nearly month-long process that began Oct. 4, when the Padres announced following their season-ending defeat in Los Angeles that interim manager Pat Murphy would not be retained. Murphy, who went 42-54 in San Diego, has since agreed to become the Milwaukee Brewers’ bench coach.

Murphy’s midseason promotion from Triple-A El Paso, on the heels of the firing of Bud Black, failed to spark the Padres to what would have been their first postseason trip since 2006 — this despite a stunning offseason that resulted in an unprecedented payroll and similar expectations.

The Padres finished 74-88, fourth place in the top-heavy National League West.

Either Gardenhire or Sofield would bring what remained missing from Black’s resume after eight-plus seasons in San Diego. Gardenhire managed the Twins in 27 postseason games, albeit to a 6-21 record, and Sofield has been on Pittsburgh’s coaching staff for three consecutive playoff trips. Both men played in the majors — Gardenhire as an infielder for the New York Mets, Sofield as an outfielder for the Twins — an experience that Murphy lacked.


Preller said early this month that he sought a manager with “presence” and “energy,” and his two finalists appear to fit the mold. The GM’s search was wide-ranging, with other interviewees including former major league infielder Alex Cora, Arizona third-base coach Andy Green, former pitcher Tom Gordon, new Mariners manager Scott Servais and ex-Padres player Phil Nevin.

Of the entire group, however, only Gardenhire has major league managing experience, likely factoring into his status as the current front-runner.

The new manager is expected to be able to bring in his own staff. The contracts of the Padres’ coaches expire Saturday, and several of them have been contacted by other clubs with openings. Pitching coach Darren Balsley and bench coach Dave Roberts are among the candidates to join Black, who is expected to be named the Washington Nationals’ new manager. Hitting coach Mark Kotsay, who interviewed for the Padres’ managerial vacancy, is a possibility to be retained.