Padres’ GM Search: Is A.J. Preller The Leading Candidate?

San Diego Padres’ chairman Ron Fowler has stated that his team hopes to have a new general manager in place shortly after the July 31st non-waiver trading deadline has passed. We are exactly two weeks a day away from that deadline, and the team continues to move forward in their search for Josh Byrnes’ replacement.

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, A.J. Preller, an assistant to Texas Rangers’ General Manager Jon Daniels, who has already interviewed once with the Padres during their initial search, is being brought back for a second interview. Preller, who is a close friend and former college roommate of Daniels, is best known for his expertise in the international free agent and scouting departments. He has served in the role of senior director of player personnel from 2010-13.

The Padres have left no stone unturned in their current search, and several candidates have been interviewed. Several of those candidates have withdrawn their names from consideration, including interim GMs Omar Minaya and A.J. Hinch. Preller is the first confirmed candidate to be receiving a second interview from the team. Whether or not multiple other candidates receive a second call is unknown at this time. Stay with Friars On Base as we keep you up to date on the Padres’ continuing general manager search.