The Padres are heading into a winter of change, and one of their most important front-office voices is already out the door.
Caroline Perry, who had been San Diego’s chief operating officer since 2023, has taken the same role with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In her new job, she will serve as the Dodgers’ executive vice president and COO, stepping in for retiring COO Bob Wolfe. Wolfe, Stan Kasten’s longtime right-hand man, is set to retire at the end of the month and then become an advisor to the organization.
Perry’s departure hits San Diego hard. She had spent 16 seasons with the Padres and rose through the organization from general counsel to executive vice president for business administration and general counsel before becoming COO.
At the time of her promotion in 2023, she was the highest-ranking female employee in franchise history and the No. 3 executive behind CEO Erik Greupner and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller.
In her statement on joining Los Angeles, Perry made clear how much the move meant to her while also acknowledging what her time in San Diego meant.
“It is a tremendous honor to join the Dodgers,” Perry said. “On the field, they have set an unparalleled standard of excellence in baseball under the current leadership.
Off the field, their historic legacy, passionate fan base and service to the community speak for themselves. While I am incredibly grateful for my time with the Padres and for the colleagues who made those years so meaningful, I am excited to take my place with the Dodgers and to contribute to their continued success.
Thank you to Mark Walter, Stan Kasten and the entire Dodger family for welcoming me.”
A San Diego native, Perry graduated with honors from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology. She later earned her law degree from Columbia University, where she was a James Kent scholar and managing editor of the Columbia Business Law Review.
The Padres, meanwhile, have already moved to fill the vacancy. Chris Connolly, who has been with the club since 2011, has been promoted into Perry’s spot. Connolly had served as chief marketing officer since 2021 and now carries the title of executive vice president, chief marketing and operations officer.
“Chris has been an outstanding leader and driving force behind the Padres’ continued growth and success,” Greupner said in a statement. “His highly collaborative, positive, creative, and committed approach has helped elevate our fan experience and organization in meaningful ways. This promotion reflects the impact he has made and our confidence in his ability to help lead the Padres going forward.”
San Diego is entering what the source described as a crucial winter, one that could bring major changes to the organization. The team that takes the field in 2027 could look very different from the one Perry left behind.
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