Padres name Andy Green new manager

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller announced his first big move heading into the offseason on Thursday, welcoming Andy Green as the team's new manager.

"Andy has the combination of intelligence and feel for the game that we are looking for to lead this team," Preller said in a statement. "As a player, he displayed a strong work ethic and even stronger passion, earning everything he achieved. That passion has carried over into his managerial and major-league coaching career."

Green served as the third-base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, and is a two-time Southern League Manager of the Year. He also enjoyed a short four-year career as a player, serving as utility man for the Diamondbacks and New York Mets.

"I had heard when he interviewed there that he really knocked it out of the park,” Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. "They were really excited about him. I’m really proud of him. That's quite an accomplishment at 38."

Green was considered a dark horse for the position, as longtime Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and Pittsburgh Pirates third-base coach Rick Sofield were thought to be front-runners for the job.

"I am thrilled to be sitting here and couldn't be more proud to be in a city like San Diego," Green said.

Bud Black was fired midseason after the team failed to live up to expectations following an offseason roster overhaul. Pat Murphy was appointed the interim manager, but the club announced he wouldn't return for the 2016 campaign.