4 reasons why Melvin fits as Padres' skip

SAN DIEGO -- And just like that -- seemingly out of nowhere -- Bob Melvin is the 22nd manager of the San Diego Padres.

After their disappointing 2021 season, the Padres set out in search of a manager who could bring the best out of a talented roster. They believe they got their man. Here are four reasons Melvin could be a perfect fit in San Diego:

1. Gets the most out of his talent

Melvin reached the postseason in six of his 10 full seasons with the A’s, even with payroll limitations and constant roster turnover.

The Padres, meanwhile, went 79-83 a season ago, with a roster that projected as much better than that -- and a payroll that towers over what Melvin worked with in Oakland.

Here's what A’s vice president Billy Beane had to say last summer when the team exercised Melvin's contract option for 2021 (well before they granted Melvin permission to interview with the Padres):

"Bob, arguably, has been the most successful manager we've had here, especially when you consider the challenges that he's had," Beane said. "He's had a roster that has turned over multiple times since he's been here. He has one of the lower payrolls to deal with. From a professional and personal relationship, this tenure speaks for itself."

Sure, Melvin managed some very good A's teams. But the array of talent in San Diego is on par with any group he had in Oakland -- beginning with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth, along with a star-laden pitching staff.

2. A needed steady hand

Consider how the past two managerial tenures ended in San Diego. The Padres were lingering on the fringes of contention at the All-Star break under Andy Green in 2019, before collapsing in the second half. With a more talented roster in '21, they were comfortably in playoff position when some injuries hit and the front office did not provide reinforcements. A similar collapse ensued, and Jayce Tingler was ousted.

It's a bit unfair on those two first-time managers to assign full blame for the poor performance of their players down the stretch. But it's also worth wondering whether a manager with experience weathering storms might've been able to weather those particular storms.

Melvin is nothing if not steady-handed. He's almost always found a way to right the ship. That's perhaps the result of the clubhouse environment he is renowned for cultivating. His former players rave about his ability to keep things even-keel without ever being an overbearing presence in the clubhouse.

3. A blend of old- and new-school

"There's a reason [the A's] always end up in October," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on the final day of August. "And that starts with the stability with Bob Melvin. I mean, I love him. I've worked with him before. He's terrific, and a challenge to manage against. The team plays with a good chip on their shoulder, and they're winners. They know how to play the game. They don't make a ton of mistakes."

Hinch would know. He worked with Melvin in Arizona, then managed against him regularly in the American League West with Houston.

Perhaps Melvin's best attribute is his ability to adapt. He's changed his style when necessary, and it clearly resonates with his players. Melvin has old-school roots, yet is receptive to new-school ideas, having worked in an analytically driven organization like Oakland for the past 11 years. Perhaps most important, Melvin is an expert in getting buy-in from his players on that front.

4. He's just ... different

This one isn't so much about Melvin as the way things were in San Diego. The Padres were dreadful in August and September. Their season went off the rails with an 18-36 finish. Change was bound to come, considering just how far short the Padres fell.

Still, this is a major change. Melvin stands in stark contrast to president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller's first two managerial hires. Melvin is a proven skipper with a history of striking the right tone for a big league clubhouse amid the good and the bad.

And suddenly, with one hire, the stench of August and September is lessened significantly. Sure, there will be questions surrounding the Padres' roster construction and their pitching depth. They still need to fill out a coaching staff, too.

But the arrival of Melvin -- widely regarded as one of the best managers in the game -- is nothing short of a coup for the Padres, and with him on board, the offseason suddenly has a distinctly different feel.