Bob Nightengale wrote in his Sunday notebook today that “if the Padres don’t reach the postseason, Bob Melvin could take the fall with bench coach Ryan Flaherty a strong candidate to succeed him.”
Oh yeah that'll fix things
(via @BNightengale) pic.twitter.com/WKXo4gM6Vl— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) August 14, 2023This doesn’t seem to be actual reporting from Nightengale—just speculation. Melvin could take the fall. It doesn’t mean he will.
However if he does end up being the scapegoat, that’s not fair to Melvin.