A surprise name has emerged as a candidate for the managerial vacancy with the Padres, as CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the team interviewed former major league pitcher Tom Gordon on Friday.
Per Heyman, Padres general manager A.J. Preller met with Gordon while team executives were in attendance for the Perfect Game tournament in Jupiter, Florida. Gordon, the father of Marlins infielder Dee Gordon and Twins prospect Nick Gordon, played 21 years in the majors for eight different teams. His career came to a close after the 2009 season. He has no previous managerial experience at any level and has never been mentioned in connection with other jobs.
Other candidates for the Padres include former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, Diamondbacks Triple-A manager Phil Nevin, Diamondbacks third base coach Andy Green, Pirates third base coach Rick Sofield, Padres hitting coach Mark Kotsay, and ESPN analyst Alex Cora. Moises Alou has been mentioned as a possibility, but it’s unclear if he’s a serious candidate. The Padres interviewed Scott Servais before the Mariners hired him as their new manager this week.
