TinCaps Manager Fired

   The manager of the Fort Wayne TinCaps has been fired after just one season.

   The TinCaps parent team, the San Diego Padres, did not renew Jose Flores' contract.

   Flores took the reigns of the TinCaps earlier this year following the team's championship season. This year the TinCaps got kicked out of the playoffs during the first round. But team officials say that had nothing to do with Flores leaving. 

   “We appreciate the effort put forth by Jose Flores this past year. We have decided to go in a different direction,” said Padres VP/Asst. GM Jason McLeod in a statement.

   Looking back at the season, TinCaps President Mike Nutter says Flores transitioned well from rookie ball to the minor leagues.

   “It was a learning experience,” said Nutter. “I thought that, from the All-Star game on, you could really tell he was gaining in more confidence, did a nice job with five teenagers.”

   Nutter says new leadership at the Padres likely resulted in Flores getting the boot, not because the TinCaps didn't make it past the first round of the playoffs.

   “I don't think, in my opinion, that it was based on, oh, they didn't win it all,” said Nutter. “That'd be a tough organization to work if you don't win it all, you know, you're out the door.”

   The two managers before Flores stayed in Fort Wayne for three seasons each. But Nutter says it's not always like that.

   “We have had other instances where a guy was here for one year and then not renewed,” said Nutter.

   Fans likely won't have to wait too long to find out who will replace Flores.

   “I would anticipate the next couple to few weeks, we'd know who our new skipper is for the 2011 season,” said Nutter.

   Flores was among ten Padres employees laid off across the organization.