Padres discuss contract extension for A.J. Preller

A.J. Preller is presently nether declaration with the San Diego Padres done the 2026 season, but it appears the president of shot operations could beryllium with the nine for overmuch longer. According to Denis Lin of The Athletic, Preller and president John Seidler person been successful talks astir a caller multi-year declaration extension, and a woody could beryllium finalized successful the adjacent fewer days. Sources astatine the nine accidental they are aiming to adjacent the woody by Monday, erstwhile they volition unveil caller manager Craig Stammen.

The quality comes arsenic nary surprise, arsenic the Padres person had a stellar tally of results during Preller’s much than 11 years successful the beforehand office. However, a study published a fewer weeks agone by Lin and Ken Rosenthal suggested that Preller’s semipermanent aboriginal successful San Diego whitethorn not beryllium certain, owed to alleged tensions betwixt him and CEO Erik Greupner. Preller played down the situation:
“Erik and I person worked unneurotic the full clip I’ve been present and we person a beardown and productive moving relationship.”

The Padres extended Greupner's declaration done the extremity of 2024, portion erstwhile manager Mike Shildt besides signed a caller declaration that covers the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This has sparked curiosity due to the fact that 2 cardinal members of the squad person been fixed longer contracts than Preller's. According to media reports, Greupner and advisor Eric Kutsenda person been successful favour of Shildt's appointment, portion Preller has preferred Ryan Flaherty.

Style and challenges

Preller is known for overseeing each facet of the organization, which has drawn disapproval for micromanagement and is apt the crushed for the predominant changes successful managers. If the hold is finalized, it appears that each disagreements person been resolved and the nine volition proceed with Preller and Stammen. Preller's clip successful San Diego has been marked by interior drama, managerial changes, large acquisitions and squad restructuring, but the effect has been changeless contention successful October.

The Padres person won 5 games successful the past six seasons and made 4 playoff appearances, including the 2022 NLCS. Attendance astatine Petco Park and section TV ratings person accrued acknowledgment to the success, helping to support the fund successful check. Although expenses person been chopped since the decease of Peter Seidler successful 2023, Preller's acquisition prowess has kept the squad competitive, with a operation of stars similar Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. and newcomers Mason Miller and Nick Pivetta.