Padres: Where Does Andy Green Stand Entering 2017?
In an increasingly competitive and demanding league, patience is non-existent at times when winning seems far away. As the Padres look to continue to improve in 2017, how safe is Andy Green’s job as manager?
It is no secret that the San Diego Padres are in the midst of a rebuilding process. The debate is, where is the balance between patience and urgency? This is one question which fuels argument over manager Andy Green.
On one hand, the 39-year old has just completed his first season as a big league manager. On the other hand though, many don’t see him as a manager which can lead a young team like San Diego into contention in the near future.
In his 11 year playing career, Green spent the vast majority of his time in the minors. His short stints at the big league level were with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Mets, but each lasted less than a season.
When Green was hired on October 29th, 2015 to replace the beloved Bud Black, some were excited, and many were skeptical. Through one season, feelings around the organization have not appeared to have changed much. Fans are still divided over where Green stands in their view.
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Undeniably, Green’s job is far from at stake. Still, one question entering the offseason is where he stands in the eyes of the organization. Is it the Padres’ intention to exercise patience with Green as he takes control of developing young talent? Or does Green serve as merely a bridge manager until San Diego can find a true fit.
The answer is not a clear cut or simple one. Certainly, the Padres would not be sticking with Green if they didn’t consider him valuable in some way. It also seems very unlikely that they do not intend on sticking with him for years to come at this point. But how soon does progress need do become evident?
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A 68-94 season doesn’t help his case. But the promise shown by some of the young talent called up to the major league roster at the end of 2016 is encouraging. And, a move at manager after two more losing seasons would disrupt the rhythm of a developing young team.
Much of Green’s future will depend on the culture of the clubhouse, without a doubt. If San Diego can get out of the cellar in the next couple of seasons and move toward the .500 mark, Green will be regarded as another long term solution at manager, much like Black was.
But for now, the verdict is still out. Fans have their different opinions on where Green stands, and few know what the organization actually thinks of him. What we do all know though is that Green will be the manager in 2017, and that his second year should work out much better than his first if the team’s potential begins to come to fruition.