MLB Rumors: San Diego Padres GM Josh Byrnes is on the hot seat
By Dan Zinski
The trade deadline is next month and soon big-time players will start switching teams, but even before that action gets underway, at least one general manager may find himself on the move. Ken Rosenthal reports that there are strong indications the struggling Padres may be about to fire GM Josh Byrnes.
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Sources tell Rosenthal that Byrnes’ relationship with the Padres’ owners has “deteriorated” in recent weeks, leaving Byrnes vulnerable at a time when he needs all the goodwill he can get.
And then consider this ominous statement from team executive chairman Ron Fowler to Fox Sports:
"We are terribly disappointed in the team’s offense this year and staying the course is becoming less appealing as the ugly losses continue."
Team president Mike Dee also told San Diego radio station the Mighty 1090:
"Stay tuned, if it doesn’t turn around, we’ll have to make some changes. This thing has to be fixed and it will."
Rosenthal suggests that Byrnes might have gotten the axe as soon as this week had it not been for the death of Tony Gwynn. The franchise, Rosenthal believes, will wait a decent interval after Gwynn’s memorial service to give Byrnes the boot.
If/when Byrnes is cut loose, A.J. Hinch is in line to succeed him on at least an interim basis. The Padres currently sit 10 games under .500 and 11 1/2 games out of the NL West race, and are believed to be shopping several of their key players including Carlos Quentin, Chase Headley, Huston Street and Ian Kennedy.
Manager Bud Black is also on the hot seat in San Diego. Pretty much everyone is on the hot seat there, after the way that club has staggered out of the gate this year.
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