SAN FRANCISCO -- When the Padres handpicked A.J. Preller as general manager in August 2014, they did so without fear of another team swooping in and hiring away the candidate they coveted.
No other team was in the market for the general manager at the time.
When the Padres get around to filling their managerial position, they won't be as fortunate.
Whether the Padres decide to hang onto interim manager Pat Murphy or opt to go in another direction for a manager for 2016, they'll be facing competition and likely quite a bit of it.
The number of teams that could see managerial changes this offseason might hit double digits, like the Tigers, who, according to an unconfirmed report, will dismiss Brad Ausmus after the season.