Orioles make surprising hire of Mike Shildt after brief Padres' retirement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the more fascinating teams to follow this offseason. While they've made a few interesting trades, like acquiring Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Ward, Baltimore has also been involved in interesting hires.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne of the more interesting decisions from the Orioles organization this offseason came now with a player, but with a former manager of the San Diego Padres.
According to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, the Orioles are hiring Mike Shildt for an upper minor league coordinator of instruction role.
Orioles make interesting Mike Shildt hire after brief retirement
"The Orioles are hiring former Padres manager Mike Shildt as their upper-level minor league coordinator of instruction, source confirms," Kostka reports. "And Samuel Vefas is the lower-level coordinator. @masnRoch had both of these first."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis decision from the Orioles is a very interesting one. Shildt, a little over a month ago, retired from the Padres manager role in a surprising decision.
San Diego had just made the postseason and was likely to be a contender once again in 2026. But, instead of managing through the rest of his contract, Shildt retired and shared a lengthy message to boot.
More: Who is Craig Albernaz? Meet the new Orioles skipper who spent the 2025 season with Guardians
But now, a little over a month later, he's back in Major League Baseball, this time with the Orioles and in a more limited role. Shildt travels across the United States to join a new organization, as he aims to help the Orioles' minor leaguers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn an offseason with a few surprising moves already, this might be the most surprising for the Orioles. Shildt has a lot of experience, leading the Padres and St. Louis Cardinals before in his big league career with a career 252-199 record as manager.
Now, Shildt joins the Orioles organization to aid the minor league teams as an upper-level coordinator of instruction. Coming off a successful 2025 season in San Diego, Shildt's surprise retirement and now un-retirement have been a roller coaster for the 57-year-old.
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