Amid an offseason of significant change, San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said Saturday he was partly responsible for his ongoing lack of a contract extension, adding that he still anticipated an agreement would be reached.
“I know we haven’t been super transactional (with roster moves this offseason) … but the focus (is) on winning and putting a team together and free agents and trades,” Preller said during the Padres’ annual FanFest event at Petco Park. “I’m not great at focusing on anything other than that this time of year. So, I think that’s been part of it.
“I think … I’m pretty realistic when it comes to making deals and what it looks like. And I think win-win deals are when everybody’s fair and they’re honest and realistic. And I expect something to get done. Continuing to talk, and looking forward to continuing to talk about the team and what we’re trying to do to put a better team on the field.”
Preller’s future in San Diego has been cloudy throughout a winter of uncertainty. In October, after the Padres were eliminated from the postseason, both the executive and team ownership indicated interest in striking a new deal. In November, the Padres promoted Craig Stammen as their fourth manager in six years. A week later, the Seidler family put the franchise up for sale.
Padres chairman John Seidler has since reiterated his interest in extending Preller, now in the final year of a contract awarded to him in 2021 by late owner Peter Seidler. Still, with spring training just days away, the two sides have yet to agree to terms.
“Knowing you’re in the sale process versus you know an owner’s going to be here … for 10-plus years, and that’s not there, that’s at least a conversation,” Preller said. “But in terms of what we’re trying to do, what we’re trying to do on the field, my situation, it’s been just straight up conversation with myself and John, and hoping to try to get something done here soon.”
While executive salaries have risen around the sport — multiple newer presidents of baseball operations are making approximately $5 million per year — a potential extension could amount to a relatively small expense for a prospective owner, whether or not Preller is ultimately retained. Forbes estimated the Padres’ franchise value in March at $1.95 billion, and league sources said the Seidler family is seeking a purchase price well above that number.
In the meantime, Preller will continue attempting to sustain the momentum from the club’s first pair of consecutive 90-win seasons. That presently appears to be a sizable challenge; the Padres lost several key players in free agency, and their only notable acquisitions have been the return of starting pitcher Michael King and the addition of infielder Sung-Mun Song. Preller said Saturday he is still searching for more starting pitching and “multiple” bats, particularly at first base and designated hitter.
“It doesn’t really ever end,” Preller said of the offseason. “There’s no, like, deadline on transactions, and you kind of get to this point and obviously you get the opportunity to hopefully get some players that are motivated, that want to be here, to get some deals that we feel like line up for us from a price standpoint and how we’re valuing players.”
As The Athletic reported earlier this month, the Padres prefer to spend the majority of their remaining budget on free-agent starting pitching, potentially in the range of $8 million to $12 million in average annual value. With a settlement involving Yu Darvish’s contract expected before Opening Day, team sources said the final number will not significantly impact San Diego’s financial flexibility either way. Preller and Darvish, who has three years and $43 million left on his deal, have for months discussed scenarios in which Darvish potentially forfeits a majority of that money.
“You’d have to ask (Darvish) how he helped Preller give me a couple extra dollars, I guess,” King, who signed a three-year, $75 million deal with two opt-outs, said with a smile. “But Darvish has been a guy I looked up to since I got here, and I can’t wait to keep that relationship going.”
Darvish, who is rehabbing from a third elbow surgery, will travel overseas next month to temporarily serve as a coach at Samurai Japan’s training camp ahead of the World Baseball Classic. The San Diego-area resident also is expected to join the Padres for at least a portion of spring training in Arizona, as well as remain involved with the team during the regular season — even if Darvish is contractually no longer a member of the roster.
“He wants to be around, and he wants to help others,” Preller said. “He said that a couple years ago, when it was the ‘24 season and he was on the restricted list. … This past year, Randy Vásquez, for example. Darvish spent a lot of time helping Randy, talking to Randy and helping his development. So I think he’s interested in doing more of that as he goes, giving back.”
It was less than a decade ago that one Darvish’s most famous countrymen, Ichiro Suzuki, moved from the field to the Seattle Mariners’ front office without ruling out a future return as a player. Whether Darvish and the Padres work out a similar arrangement remains to be seen.
“We’re working through the process with him … and hopefully have a little bit more clarity here as we go over the next couple weeks,” said Preller, who, in the near future, could finally gain some clarity of his own.