The Major League Baseball world was shocked to learn on Monday that Mike Shildt would be stepping down as manager of the San Diego Padres.

Shildt had been at the helm since 2024 and had taken the Padres to the postseason in each of his two seasons, finishing with a 90-72 record this year before being ousted by the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card series. San Diego is the latest team with a managerial need in 2026, joining the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, several candidates are already being considered by Padres general manager A.J. Preller. All are familiar names, but one name sticks out above the rest — Bruce Bochy.

What hiring Bruce Bochy would mean for Padres

Bochy's resume speaks for itself. He won three World Series titles as manager of the San Francisco Giants from 2010 to 2014, and led the Texas Rangers to their first championship in 2023 before a mutual agreement to part ways with the club after the 2025 season.

However, his first managerial gig came with the Padres from 1995 to 2006. He guided them to the 1998 World Series and was named the National League Manager of the Year in 1996. Bochy also played the final five seasons of his MLB career in San Diego, retiring after the 1987 season.

The Friars would be getting a future Hall-of-Fame manager with the ability to manage effectively in the modern game, despite having a more old-school approach. Bochy has adapted over the many years he has spent around baseball, and that type of experience could be just what the Padres need to stay in the postseason race in 2026.

The Rangers ultimately chose to replace him with Skip Schumaker after the season ended. Still, if he wants to continue managing, the Padres represent an excellent opportunity for him to join a team that is prepared to win now and contend for years to come.

Bochy would likely gain the respect of the clubhouse immediately, as he can provide stability with his strong leadership and communication skills. San Diego has several intriguing managerial candidates that could work well for them, but they might be best served by choosing the most experienced option.