🚨 JUST IN: The Padres’ shifting ownership dynamic has thrown A.J. Preller’s extension into doubt, raising major questions about San Diego’s future direction ⚡.NL

Spread the love

A.J. Preller has one more season left on his current contract and should be extended by the club soon. However, have recent ownership issues complicated the potential extension? 

A few weeks ago, Dennis Lin of the New York Times reported that the San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller were very close on an extension.

The report even indicated that the team would like the deal done before showcasing new manager Craig Stammen to the public.

That never happened.

Instead, John Seidler (a week later) issued a statement that shocked the baseball world. The Padres have begun the process for a potential sale of the team. Nothing is imminent yet, but it appears that the Padres will be put up for sale eventually.

This recent news is disappointing to the citizens of San Diego, as the Padres franchise comes with a history of bad owners. Peter Seidler was a breath of fresh air. He was lightning in a bottle for the city of San Diego. His generosity and vision inspired what we see before us at Petco Park. Can San Diegans expect that same dedication with a new owner? Only time will tell. But there will never be another Peter Seidler.

As for Preller. Peter Seidler deserves all the accolades that come his way, but A.J. Preller took the vision of Seidler and made it a reality. He made the Padres who they are today. A competitive franchise that is the envy of the lower-tiered, small-market teams in the league.

Say what you like about the G.M.- he is crafty and dedicated to his job. He gets the job done.

You will get the best from A.J. Preller, and few in the industry can come to rivaling him in his tenacity to improve his roster.

I’d like this amount to

be a one-time donationrecur monthly

An extension is a no-brainer for the franchise.

So, where are we? Why have the Padres not gotten it done?

It is concerning that the ownership news broke before an agreement could be made with the G.M. Is he, himself, re-thinking his future in San Diego? Does Preller know something we don’t about the future finances of this club? It would not be fun to take on a team slashing payroll. That is for sure.

All this is speculation. We don’t know about the future ownership of this organization.

For a team that is built to win now, this is not a good thing. Especially when the team has several free agents and a few holes on the roster that need to be mended. The winter season is early, but there is much to be done. Asking A.J. Preller to work as he does on an expiring contract is lunacy.

Expend the G.M. and let’s move to the next hurdle preventing this franchise from reaching its ultimate goal. A World Series Title.