For one, Stammen wasn’t among the reported list of finalists (though it was always apparent there was at least one more name in the mix). For another, Stammen hasn’t previously held a coaching role, having retired only two years ago after a 13-year career as a big league pitcher.
But to those inside the Padres’ organization, the move made plenty of sense. So … here are four reasons why San Diego hired Stammen as its 24th manager:
1. He blends player relationships with baseball acumen
Upon his arrival in 2017, Stammen instantly became a leader in the Padres’ bullpen. It was sometime around then that he worked his way onto the radar of general manager A.J. Preller as a potential future manager.
“You want this guy in your organization in a leadership role,” Preller recalled thinking about Stammen, both then and now.
Those who have worked alongside Stammen across his nine seasons in the Padres’ organization describe a personable figure, a former player who can clearly relate to the current players in the San Diego clubhouse, many of whom are former teammates. While pitching out of the Padres’ bullpen, Stammen was willing to do just about anything in any role, earning the deep respect of those teammates.
But beyond Stammen’s presence and his relationship-building ability, the Padres believe he possesses a unique baseball acumen that makes him fit for the manager’s chair. That remains to be seen — as Stammen has never managed before. But the past two seasons only seemed to reinforce that belief …
2. Stammen’s time as an assistant pushed him into the mix
Stammen formally retired during the 2023 season when it became clear he wouldn’t be able to return from a torn right shoulder capsule. The Padres made it clear they wanted Stammen to remain in the organization — and, sure enough, he was hired as a special assistant to the big league staff and the front office.
Every organization has assistants like Stammen — former players with a role that is largely undefined. To some extent, those former players get what they put into that role.
Stammen was deeply involved from the start. He worked with the team’s player development staff and traveled to affiliates to work with Minor League pitchers. He was a resource for current big leaguers, whether as a sounding board or as a de facto liaison with the front office. He sat in with the front office on high-level discussions, including on Draft day and Trade Deadline day.
As a special assistant, Stammen made meaningful contributions in countless areas. The Padres believe his ability to deftly handle so many different tasks will suit him well in the manager’s chair.
3. He brings continuity and organizational vision
The Padres are coming off consecutive 90-win seasons for the first time in franchise history and back-to-back playoff appearances for only the second time. In large part, they were merely looking to continue riding the wave of their recent success.
They believe that hiring Stammen accomplishes that goal.
Stammen, of course, is familiar with the roster and with the organization’s processes. He enters the manager role having already formed deep relationships with both the players and the front office. There may be a learning curve on the job, one Stammen has never done before. There will not be a learning curve with the organization and the people he’s working alongside.
“The biggest thing you see with Craig is his belief in the Padres’ organization and his belief in our players,” Preller said.
4. Lessened concerns about a first-time manager
As with any first-time manager, there will be questions. But there are recent success stories, too — Stephen Vogt in Cleveland, for example, was a first-time manager hired shortly after his playing career.
The important next step is that Stammen’s relative lack of experience be mitigated by his support staff on the coaching side and in the front office. The Padres seem poised to bring back Ruben Niebla as pitching coach after Niebla was a finalist for the manager’s job. They’re bringing back Ben Fritz as bullpen coach. That’s a whole lot of stability on the pitching side.
This is a roster with clear win-now ambitions. It’s imperative that Stammen have the right people around him to ensure there aren’t many growing pains. The Padres are confident they will have those pieces in place — around a first-time manager they feel will be more than up to the challenge.
