Padres give multiyear extension to A.J. Preller, lifting some uncertainty about GM’s future
PEORIA, Ariz. — The San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller agreed to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced Monday, lifting some of the uncertainty that surrounded the longtime general manager amid a turbulent offseason.
Since the Padres’ exit from the 2025 postseason, they have accepted the resignation of manager Mike Shildt, replaced Shildt with rookie manager Craig Stammen and neared a potential franchise sale, which further clouded Preller’s future as San Diego’s president of baseball operations.
Ultimately, Preller and Padres chairman John Seidler found enough common ground to reach an agreement after months of on-and-off discussions. Preller, whose previous six-year deal would’ve expired after the upcoming season, is now under contract through 2028. The length of the new agreement was not disclosed.
“A.J. has been the architect of the team,” Seidler said. “Without A.J.’s roster-building over the duration, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Preller, arguably the most aggressive GM in baseball, oversaw the Padres’ first consecutive 90-win seasons in 2024 and 2025 while working with a strict budget. Seidler, the older brother of the beloved late owner Peter Seidler, announced in November that he and his family had begun exploring a potential sale. Initial bids are due in late February for a franchise that could fetch a price approaching $3 billion.
Preller’s recent lack of job security had stood in contrast to that of other top officials. In 2024, the Padres publicly extended Shildt through 2027 and quietly extended CEO Erik Greupner through at least 2029. Meanwhile, Preller’s status turned tenuous, even as he and Greupner oversaw the Padres’ rise to national relevance.
San Diego has appeared in the postseason four times in six years since 2020. Each year since 2021, Petco Park has ranked in the top five in attendance, with the Padres trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025.
“He has definitely founded this organization, bringing it from probably one of the worst to one of the top organizations in the game,” Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. said of Preller. “If somebody can bring a championship to San Diego, it’s definitely A.J. Preller.”
Preller’s belief in his value — some rival executives believe he would be widely coveted as a free agent — helped explain a protracted negotiation process. Seidler, who said preliminary discussions began last February, offered another reason for the holdup.
“It’s taken so long in part because our schedules have been incompatible,” Seidler said. “I’m an old-fashioned guy. I prefer to have discussions like that in person. … We’ve really only been in person four times since the end of the season, and the fourth and final discussion was (Sunday), where we came to an agreement.”
Sunday was also when third baseman Manny Machado publicly lobbied for the Padres to extend Preller.
“Damn, I should’ve spoken three months ago or something,” Machado said Monday. “Yeah, I mean, it’s awesome. … I don’t know anyone that loves this organization and cares about this organization, cares about this franchise, cares about these players in this clubhouse more than that person.
“I don’t think it’s any of us BS-ing around here when we speak about A.J. I think it’s just genuine. I think he’s truthful to all his players, loyal to the guys, and it’s awesome to see he’s going to be here.”
Sustaining the Padres’ recent success won’t be easy. Several nine-figure player contracts remain obstacles to building a complete roster. And after years of frequent trading, the farm system appears as depleted as ever since Preller was hired in 2014.
Preller, who has been afforded the most managerial turnover among active GMs, is also working with a first-time manager without any professional coaching experience. A former reliever, Stammen succeeded Shildt in November after Shildt stepped down, citing his health as the primary reason.
Still, San Diego has enjoyed unusual prominence for a smaller-market franchise. The Padres’ run over the past six seasons followed a 51-year span in which they went to the playoffs five times. Petco Park drew 3.4 million fans in 2025, eclipsing the records set in each of the previous two seasons.
The Padres anticipate similarly robust support in 2026. In the meantime, the franchise’s long-term leadership remains uncertain, given the potential of a sale. For now, Preller’s extension at least strengthens the possibility that a new owner will eventually decide on his future in San Diego.
“I’m incredibly grateful to John, Erik Greupner and our ownership group for their continued trust in me and the vision we have for this organization,” Preller said in a statement. “San Diego is a special place, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last decade while knowing there’s still more work to be done. I’m excited for the Padres’ future and fully committed to bringing a championship to our fans and this city.”
