"Not just about being friends with Fernando Tatis Jr." - Padres insider gives verdict on new skipper Craig Stammen

After managing the San Diego Padres for the past two seasons, former skipper Mike Shildt resigned after the 2025 campaign concluded. To replace him, the Friars have hired former reliever Craig Stammen, who spent six years at Petco Park in his playing days.

On Monday's episode of "Friar Territory," insider Marty Caswell gave her verdict on the decision.

"Craig Stammen, one advantage he does have, other than his relationship with (Padres GM) A.J. Preller, is he knows this organization inside out, and he is tight with the players," Caswell said (Timestamp: 29:08). "It's not just about being friends with Manny Machado or Fernando Tatis Jr., but I do know he was about as respected a player who has ever walked into the clubhouse, and that's going to matter. I think that he can put his ego aside.

"Hopefully, he has people that he can trust. I think most of the baseball staff's returning, so that's good, some continuity there. Other than that, I don't know. It shocked the living hell out of me when they announced Craig Stammen, so it's up in the air. It's growing on me a little bit, but, man, when you're trying to win a World Series and you hire a first-time manager, I have more questions than anything else."

---

Craig Stammen lays out his vision with the San Diego Padres

While he was introduced as the new San Diego Padres manager in a press conference on Nov. 8, Craig Stammen spoke about what he hoped to accomplish with the team.

"The greatest challenge of this position,” Stammen said, “and the most fun part about baseball, is putting in the work and the effort to be that last team standing. And that's what gets me excited, gives me some goosebumps to see.

"It's about this organization and about making the fan base, the Friar faithful, proud of the product that we put on the field and the way that we treat people. So I'm excited to start that process, be a leader in that process, within the coaching staff and within the clubhouse. Hopefully, that leads to us taking this organization to a place that we haven't been yet.”

San Diego Padres Manager Craig Stammen - Source: Getty

Padres fans will hope their team finally manages to win a championship under Stammen's guidance in 2026.