Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It has been an offseason to forget for the San Diego Padres to this point. Manager Mike Shildt abruptly walked away and retired after the Padres were bounced from the postseason in the first round by the Chicago Cubs, John Seifler sent a letter to fans advising them the Seidler family
was going to explore options for the franchise, which could include a sale and most recently a beloved former player and familiar face in San Diego, Randy Jones, passed away. Needless to say, the Padres could use some good news in what has been an otherwise dismal offseason.
Maybe the prospects of new ownership can get the Friar Faithful back on track. Names like Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams and other sports franchises, Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets and other sports franchises and Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, have all been floated as billionaires who might have interest in purchasing the Padres. Most would agree that an owner with deep pockets could only be a good thing for San Diego, and would be the best way to keep late owner Peter Seidler’s dream of someday having a parade, alive.
While such a transaction will give the fans and media plenty to speculate, read and write about, our recent Padres Reacts Survey showed the majority of fans do not think the potential sale of the franchise will affect the team. At the end of the day, the players are paid to play the game. They cannot and do not control what happens in the owner’s suite. No matter who signs them, as long as the checks keep coming in, the players have to focus on the product on the field and figuring out a way to bring a championship to San Diego.
