Brad Ausmus Stays With Padres

The Boston Red Sox have acquired manager John Farrell from division rival Toronto Blue Jays, according to ESPN.com.

To obtain Farrell, the Red Sox agreed to send infielder Mike Aviles to the Blue Jays. Farrell will be the BoSox’s 46^th manager in the team’s history.

So what  does this have to do with the Padres and why is this on a Padres blog?

Well, because it turns out one of the candidates who was interviewed for the Red Sox’s managerial job was Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus, according to MLB Traderumors.com

SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 20: Brad Ausmus, Front office Staff of the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Thursday January 20, 2011.in San Diego, CA.(Photo by Andy Hayt) *** LOCAL CAPTION *** Front Office Staff;Brad Ausmu

Now if you were to ask me what exactly were Ausmus’ duties as a special assistant, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.

But I do know this, Ausmus was mentoring Padres catching prospect Austin Hedges. The mentorship seemed great as Hedges (already an excellent catcher) was learning a lot from one of the best defensive catchers in his time.

Ausmus’ influence on Hedges is instrumental. We have an already good catching prospect willing to perfect himself with the instruction of a one-time great defensive catcher.

It is an honor anytime someone from the Padres’ organization is being mentioned as a managerial candidate for another team. To me that means we have a hot, intelligent guy who teams want.

As much as I’d like to see Ausmus manage in the Big Leagues someday, I’m happy that he is staying in the organization.

There is no doubt he will be a fine manager when his time is called, but right now the Padres need him and so does Austin Hedges.

Here’s to Ausmus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!