ihe San Diego Padres are once again staring down a postseason-less October, and as the franchise struggles to find its footing in a highly competitive National League, one thing remains curiously unchanged: A.J. Preller is still at the helm.
Despite nearly a decade at the controls — as both President of Baseball Operations and General Manager — Preller’s tenure has produced only fleeting success and just one full-season playoff appearance (2022). Yet Padres ownership remains unwilling to make a change at the top, a decision that continues to baffle many across the league and frustrate a growing segment of the fanbase.
Sources inside the organization describe Preller as having “complete autonomy” over baseball decisions, with a direct line to owner Peter Seidler’s office. While Seidler has long admired Preller’s relentless scouting acumen and bold approach to roster construction, critics argue that San Diego’s lack of consistency, clubhouse dysfunction, and recurring underachievement reflect deeper structural issues — all of which point back to the top.
A Pattern of Underperformance
Since taking over as GM in 2014, Preller has earned a reputation as one of MLB’s most aggressive executives. From massive free agent splashes — Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Yu Darvish — to headline-grabbing trades involving the likes of Juan Soto and Blake Snell, Preller has never shied away from making big moves. But big names haven’t translated to big wins.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons were especially disheartening. Despite boasting one of the league’s highest payrolls, the Padres finished below .500 both years. Clubhouse issues, managerial turnover, and a perceived lack of leadership on the field have compounded the frustration.
“He builds talented rosters on paper,” one rival executive told ESPN. “But baseball isn’t fantasy sports. It’s about chemistry, development, and having a coherent plan. San Diego never seems to have all three at once.”
No Accountability at the Top?
While managers — including Bob Melvin and Jayce Tingler — have come and gone under Preller’s watch, he remains a constant. The Padres are now on their fifth manager since 2015, and insiders say some candidates have hesitated to work in San Diego due to Preller’s “micromanaging” tendencies and historically short leashes.
“He’s a brilliant baseball mind, but he’s running out of time to prove he can actually build a winner,” said an anonymous Padres insider.
Despite the turmoil, Preller’s job appears safe. Seidler and the ownership group have offered no public indication that they’re considering a change. But with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks continuing to build sustainable contenders, and the Giants resurgent under their new leadership, San Diego’s window may be closing faster than expected.
What’s Next?
With another underwhelming season unfolding, Padres fans are asking: If not now, when?
It’s a fair question — one that may define this franchise’s future. The unwillingness to hold Preller accountable could be seen as loyalty, or it could be interpreted as denial. Either way, the longer the Padres delay a top-down re-evaluation, the more likely their postseason drought will continue.
In Major League Baseball, hope may spring eternal — but without results, patience eventually runs out.
For more Padres coverage, follow ESPN MLB on X and Instagram @ESPNMLB.
