Who could be next? More than a handful of Padres pegged hometown hero Joe Musgrove as manager material.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he just has a presence to him,\u201d first baseman Gavin Sheets said. \u201cI think guys would play hard for him. I think they respect him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Musgrove has performed on the biggest of stages, from throwing the franchise\u2019s first no-hitter to dismissing the Mets in a decisive wild-card game in 2022 to taking the ball in Game 4 of that year\u2019s NLDS against the Dodgers to willing himself through elbow pain late during the team\u2019s 2024 run.<\/p>\n
Musgrove required Tommy John surgery that has yet to allow him to return to a big-league mound, but he\u2019s hardly been a wallflower. His Camp 44 has become an annual offseason staple that serves as the team\u2019s first bonding opportunity.<\/p>\n
In short, the 33-year-old San Diegan has always been more than just a pitcher in the clubhouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems like even though he\u2019s not playing at the moment, he\u2019s always looking around and very into everything that\u2019s going on,\u201d rookie reliever Bradgley Rodriguez said through interpreter Jorge Merlos. \u201cIt feels like when he\u2019s out of baseball, that is something he could get into.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Bradgley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SUT-L-training-0213-015.jpg\")
Bradgley Rodriguez, Michael King, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove stretch during Padres spring training workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Peoria, Ariz.. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Jason Adam sees veteran Yu Darvish in the same light. The 40-year-old veteran hasn\u2019t had quite the everyday presence that Musgrove has had while recovering from his own Tommy John surgery, but he\u2019s been invested in Randy V\u00e1squez\u2019s development from the moment he stepped into the organization to Michael King\u2019s free agency this offseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s a super smart, all-around baseball mind,\u201d Adam said. \u201cEveryone loves him.\u201d<\/p>\n
King drew similar compliments as potentially both a future manager and perhaps a general manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s just really well-rounded,\u201d pitcher Griffin Canning said, \u201cand understands the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
King scoffed at the suggestion, deciding instead to nominate a position player on the other side of the clubhouse: Ty France.<\/p>\n
Some say a good manager is someone who can relate to the top and bottom of a depth chart, and France has been both. The former 34th-round pick was an All-Star and a Gold Glover before breathing new life into his career this year on a minor league deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood communicator,\u201d King said. \u201cHe could motivate both pitchers and position players. I feel like he has his stake in each person and would be able to connect with each individual person in the clubhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added reliever Kyle Hart: \u201cHe just knows the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several Padres think Jake Cronenworth might also have a future in baseball after his playing days. He\u2019s already in a leadership position in the players\u2019 union and is known by his teammates as someone who\u2019s always in the know when it comes to in-game moves.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis focus; he likes to see everything,\u201d catcher Freddy Fermin said.<\/p>\n
Added Jackson Merrill: \u201cHe\u2019s always thinking two steps ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n