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San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller was observed talking on the phone, while pacing the outfield of Wrigley Field long after the Padres were eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Chicago Cubs. Seeing Preller on the phone has been a common sight during his time in San Diego. The image often leads to speculation about what rival GM he is talking to or what player agent he is trying to strike a deal with to make their client a Padre. No matter how you feel about what Preller has done during his time in San Diego, it has not been boring.
There have been questionable decisions made by the Padres front office and Preller, but there have been many successes as well. One of the fan favorites and biggest names on the San Diego roster is Fernando Tatis Jr., who Preller acquired as a 19-year-old prospect from the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher James Shields. Manny Machado, the often thought of team captain, signed as a free-agent after hours of conversation with Preller. More recently, the additions of Nick Pivetta, Gavin Sheets, Ramon Laureano and Mason Miller have given the Padres quality players with multiple years of control to make them competitive in 2025 and beyond.
Each of the past two seasons have resulted in at least 90 wins for a San Diego roster that was built by Preller and managed by Mike Shildt. Each of those seasons have resulted in playoff exits prior to reaching the ultimate goal of a World Series Championship, but the consistent success would lead one to think/hope reaching and winning a World Series is simply a matter of time. Of course, Preller and Shildt don’t play the games and they didn’t finish the 2024 season with 24 scoreless innings and neither took the mound in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series this season, so at some point the players have to produce.
Preller has not been perfect, but objectively, he has done more good than bad for the Padres. The team is competitive every year, the roster is laden with big names and the desire to win a title is evident with moves that he makes, even when handcuffed by financial restraints. Preller has been with San Diego since 2014 and is in the final year of his deal, which has led to speculation about whether or not he will remain with the organization this season and beyond.
Gaslamp Ball would like to know if you, the Friar Faithful, think Preller should be extended?
