The San Diego Padres faced a challenging offseason, juggling multiple pressing issues from starting pitching to first base, catcher, and even the managerial position. A.J. Preller, the president of baseball operations, tackled these challenges head-on despite limited resources.
The Padres' financial flexibility was tight, with much of their budget tied up in long-term contracts. Compounding this was their depleted farm system, ranked the worst in MLB after a series of aggressive trades at the deadline. They parted with 13 prospects to acquire talents like Mason Miller, Ryan O’Hearn, Ramón Laureano, and Freddy Fermin.
In terms of offseason moves, the Padres made a couple of key decisions. They re-signed Michael King on a three-year deal, ensuring stability in their pitching rotation. Additionally, they brought in KBO standout Sung-mun Song with a four-year, $15 million contract, adding international flair to their lineup.
A significant shift came with the hiring of Craig Stammen as the new manager, following Mike Shildt's departure. Yet, the spotlight remained on Preller, whose contract extension underscored the organization's confidence in his leadership as they approached the 2026 season.
Questions lingered about Preller’s future, especially after the disappointing end to the 2025 season. The decision to trade away prospects for immediate success fell short, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Despite the lack of major offseason acquisitions, Preller remained focused on building a competitive team.
Preller himself acknowledged the situation: “I know we haven’t been super transactional this offseason, but the focus is on winning and assembling a strong team through free agents and trades.”
While opinions on Preller's strategies vary, it's clear that the Padres believe in his vision, opting to stick with him despite last season's setbacks. The coming season will reveal whether this faith is well-placed, as the Padres aim to remain contenders in a competitive league.