Padres hire former pitcher as new manager

Driving the news: He signed a three-year deal to succeed Mike Shildt, who retired in October.

• The Padres interviewed several high-profile candidates after the season ended, including future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols, but Stammen's name hadn't been in the mix publicly until the announcement.

What they're saying: "Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade," Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller said. "He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the Manager's chair."

Fun fact: Stammen becomes the only former pitcher who is a current MLB manager, per ESPN.