MLB Weekly Digest November 1st Edition: Padres Hire Bob Melvin

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League hiring a new manager, a veteran is considering playing another season, and a team in the American League declines a player option.

San Diego Padres Agree to Three-Year Deal with Manager Bob Melvin

The San Diego Padres and Bob Melvin have agreed to a three-year deal as he will be their new manager.

The Oakland Athletics reportedly allowed Melvin to interview with the Padres, and the Athletics will not receive any compensation, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

The A's allowed Melvin to interview with the Padres. No compensation headed to Oakland for the hire.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) October 29, 2021

Melvin replaces Jayce Tingler, who was fired in early October after managing the Padres for two seasons.

Melvin had been with the Athletics since 2011, had his 2022 option picked up earlier in the summer.

Melvin accumulated an 853-764 win-loss record and guided the A’s to the postseason six times.

He was twice named the American League Manager of the Year with the Athletics (2012, 2018) and won the National League Manager of the Year with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007.

Melvin is highly regarded as one of the better managers in MLB, and it was a brilliant move by the Padres to bring in someone with his proven track record.

Bob Melvin will be the new manager of the San Diego Padres, source confirms to ESPN. He’s signing a three-year deal and will leave Oakland, as @AJCassavell reported. Melvin is regarded as one of the best managers in baseball, and he’s heading to manage Fernando Tatis Jr and more.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 29, 2021

The Padres have a roster built to win now, which includes superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.

The team has high expectations moving forward, and hopefully, Melvin can guide the team to reaching and exceeding those expectations.

Albert Pujols Considering Playing Another Season

Albert Pujols is not quite ready to retire as he spoke to the media several days ago in the Dominican Republic, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

Albert Pujols talked to the media in the Dominican Republic on Friday. He wasn't asked if he's retiring or playing again in 2022. But he did have this to say:

"I’ve always said that I’m going to retire when I feel it's time. I don’t think that my time has come yet."

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) October 29, 2021

Pujols said, “I’ve always said that I’m going to retire when I feel it’s time. I don’t think that my time has come yet.”

Pujols split time last season with the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Angels released the veteran in May as he was struggling at the plate.

The first baseman posted a .198 batting average and .622 OPS in 24 games with just five home runs and 12 RBIs.

He played in 85 games with the Dodgers and was remarkably better.

Pujols compiled a .254 average and .759 OPS with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs.

The change of scenery was beneficial for Pujols, and it is possible the Dodgers might bring him back on a one-year deal.

Pujols still has significant milestones to reach if he plays next year.

He is 21 home runs shy of 700 for his career – a number reached by only Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds.

He is also 29 games away from becoming the 10^th player to appear in 3,000 regular-season games.

Seattle Mariners Decline Kyle Seager’s 2022 Option

The Seattle Mariners have decided to decline the 2022 option worth $20 million for third baseman Kyle Seager, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.

Kyle Seager was told that Mariners would not exercise his 2022 option in an email from assistant GM Justin Hollander. He will be a free agent. https://t.co/RdIX9EikX2

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) October 31, 2021

Mariners assistant general manager Justin Hollander reportedly notified Seager of the team’s decision via email.

Mariners sources say the email from Assistant GM Justin Hollander is a formality in the process of notification and that GM Jerry Dipoto tried to contact Seager on Wednesday and instead notified his reps at Jet Sports. https://t.co/fgkreYPrSx

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) October 31, 2021

Seager will receive a $2-million buyout and become a free agent.

The third baseman performed well despite a low batting average.

He had a .212 average and .723 OPS in 159 games with 29 doubles, 35 home runs, and 101 RBIs.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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