Mike Shildt retires as Padres manager after two seasons, citing mental and physical toll and a need to care for himself. He steered San Diego to 183-141 with two 90-win campaigns and two postseason berths, including a 2024 Wild Card win over Atlanta and a later NLDS loss to the Dodgers. San Diego will begin an immediate managerial search as it pursues a 2026 World Series.

The retirement follows a 2025 season that ended in a three-game Wild Card loss to the Chicago Cubs. Ownership, AJ Preller and Erik Greupner praised his leadership as the club moves to a rapid replacement while pursuing a title-ready roster for the next era.

Eight MLB managerial openings are ranked by immediacy of impact and long‑term upside, led by Atlanta’s situation and Baltimore’s rebuild path. Colorado sits at the bottom after a historic collapse, with a weak farm system and ownership resistant to spending. Texas and San Francisco present a mix of win-now pressure and limited pipelines. The Nationals, Angels, and Twins offer room to grow amid ownership and governance questions, while the Orioles and Braves carry clearly defined trajectories for quick upside.