Padres interviewed former Red Sox first baseman for managerial opening
The San Diego Padres hired former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt as their skipper this week. Before making that decision final, AJ Preller interviewed a former Red Sox’ first baseman for the opening.
The Padres reportedly interviewed Adrian Gonzalez, who ended up being one of the three finalists for the vacancy, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The former slugger spent time with the Red Sox in 2011, but ultimately was traded to the Dodgers the following season. Boston moved Gonzalez to Los Angeles in a massive blockbuster deal that involved Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto.
In his first and only full season playing in Boston, Gonzalez hit .338 with a league-leading 213 hits, 27 of which were home runs while driving in 117 runs. His .957 OPS.
Gonzalez is one of 12 newcomers on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot that was released last Monday. The 41-year-old is a five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and two-time Sliver Slugger. He received a top-five MVP showing in 2010, the year before he was dealt to the Red Sox, mashing 31 homers, 101 RBIs and posting an impressive .904 OPS.
In addition to playing for the Padres, Red Sox and Dodgers, he also played his final season with the Mets in 2018.
It’s unclear if he had interest from other clubs this offseason outside the Padres.
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