San Diego Padres Extend Contract of AJ Preller—Announced by Chairman John Seidler

He has helped to build a team that has appeared in the postseason three out of four seasons since 2022. And his organization is now once more proving that they believe he is the man to help the franchise go all the way. On Monday morning, the San Diego Padres announced that they have extended the contract of AJ Preller. Padres Chairman John Seidler made the official announcement.

Over his tenure, Preller has overseen the acquisition of a significant level of talent through various channels. He signed marquee free agents, including: Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Ha-Seong Kim, Robert Suarez and Nick Pivetta. Plus, executed trades netting a talent haul of: Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Joe Musgrove, Josh Hader, Jake Cronenworth, Luis Arraez, Michael King, Dylan Cease, Tanner Scott, Jason Adam, Mason Miller, Ramon Laureano and Freddy Fermin, among others. Under his direction, the amateur scouting department has drafted several consensus top prospects; including Jackson Merrill, MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams; James Wood, Ryan Weathers and Cal Quantrill. All while the international scouting staff signed Adrian Morejon, Ethan Salas and Leo DeVries.

In a press release Seidler mentioned why it was of utmost importance to lock Preller down. He says,

“A.J’s skill and relentless commitment to winning have positioned the Padres for sustained success, and we are pleased to extend his contract. Under his guidance, our organization has continued to invest in elite talent at both the major and minor league levels while building a strong baseball operations, scouting and player development group. We are confident he will continue to tirelessly pursue the first World Series Championship for San Diego.”

Preller is also excited to continue his work in pursuit of the Padres first World Series title. A.J. states,

“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,” said Preller. “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.”

Preller, 48, originally joined the Padres as Executive Vice President/General Manager on August 6, 2014. Making him the second-longest tenured head of baseball operations in Major League Baseball behind the Yankees’ Brian Cashman (1998). He was promoted to his current position of President of Baseball Operations in February 2021.

Preller previously served as assistant general manager of the Texas Rangers. Overseeing the player development and scouting departments and serving as a key advisor on all player acquisitions. Prior to joining the Rangers, Preller spent three years in the baseball operations department of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Working with the professional, amateur and international scouting departments. He began his baseball career as an intern for the Philadelphia Phillies.

San Diego Padres Extend Contract of AJ Preller—Announced by Chairman John Seidler

Nevertheless, under Preller’s leadership, the Padres have made the postseason in four of the last six seasons (2020, 2022, 2024-25) after ending their 14-year postseason drought in 2020. The team has also won 90-plus games in consecutive seasons (93 wins in 2024, 90 wins in 2025) for the first time in club history while setting attendance records at Petco Park in each of the last three years (2023-25).

Preller has kept SD in the running all while dealing with drastic payroll cuts, leadership changes, coaching staff replacements and multiple injuries. While a title has not yet been achieved; it is clear that Preller is all in, well-built for the trials and determined to make it happen.

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