Who could Padres target as Mike Shildt's dugout successor?

Mike Shildt is out in San Diego. 

The 57-year-old veteran manager informed the Padres on Monday that he would be retiring ahead of the 2026 season despite being invited back to helm the club alongside president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. Shildt cited "a toll on his health" as a reason for his abrupt retreat.

It's a shocking development for San Diego, which is coming off consecutive postseason appearances — both under Shildt's leadership. The Padres won 90 games in 2025 before losing in three games to the Chicago Cubs in the wild-card round. In 2024, Shildt led the club to a 93-69 record and nearly toppled the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, but ultimately dropped that series in five games. With a new dugout leader now needed for 2026, who could the Padres turn to for Shildt's replacement? Here are a few potential candidates. 

Mike Shildt replacement options for Padres

Ron Washington

This is an intriguing fit. Washington was the Texas Rangers manager while Preller was in their front office during the early 2010s. Therefore, the two have a working relationship dating back at least a decade. Washington, who was fired from his post as manager of the Los Angeles Angels despite health issues, could be a natural leader for a win-now Padres team if he's seeking another chance to lead a club in 2026.

Chris Woodward

Another coach with ties to the Texas Rangers organization, Woodward didn't overlap with Preller in Arlington, but he could be in line for a second chance to lead a club after a disastrous first managerial tenure between 2019 and 2022. That was hardly Woodward's fault, however, as the Rangers descended into a rebuild under his watch.

Woodward is currently serving as the Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach as they attempt to repeat as World Series champions in 2025. He had been working in the organization's front office before that. As a coach who has clearly seen what it takes to win and with more talent to work with, Woodward could be an under-the-radar candidate for the Padres. 

Scott Servais

Servais is a long-time Preller confidant, dating back to their Texas Rangers days (much like Ron Washington). He has since joined forces with Preller in San Diego after a nine-year stint as manager of the Seattle Mariners. 

Most notably, Servais managed the 2022 Mariners to a playoff berth, ending a playoff drought of over 20 years in Seattle. With the team missing the postseason in 2023 and 2024, however, Servais was fired in favor of Dan Wilson, who has the Mariners in this year's American League Championship Series. Wilson's success should make the Padres wonder if Servais is cut out for their vacancy, though, despite the familiarity aspect.