Suddenly, it seems that Ryan Flaherty may be returning to Craig Counsell's coaching staff with the Chicago Cubs. Flaherty entered the offseason as one of the top candidates for several managerial openings, and as of this weekend, was a reported finalist to be the next Minnesota Twins' manager. The Twins hired Derek Shelton on Wednesday, and it doesn't appear that Flaherty is a finalist for the San Diego Padres' opening.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres have entered the finalist stage of their search, naming Albert Pujols, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, and Texas Rangers' special assistant Nick Hundley as specific candidates.