GM Looks To Make Impact In First Off-Season For Padres

After finishing the eighth straight year without October baseball, San Diego padres’ GM A.J. Preller met with the media on Monday to discuss his plans for the upcoming off-season and what direction he foresees the Padres heading in. He has the pieces of a fringe Wild Card team currently under control for the next season.

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What the team needs to focus on according to Preller, are big picture issues, such as improving the offense, what role Everth Cabrera plays in the future of the Padres, if any, in 2015. Preller has his three horses, Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy and Tyson Ross under manageable contracts, so the focus could lean towards shoring up a lineup that was one of the worst in franchise history, that despite the Padres having the third-best home record in the National League, and the best in franchise history.

CEO Ron Fowler has yet to determine which way the payroll with go in 2015. At the start of the season, the Padres were sitting just under $92 million dollars. Heading into next season, the team has $41 million committed. There have been unsubstantiated reports that the team would be willing to go as far as $106 million next season for the right pieces.

If the Padres could sign an impact bat or two, and keep the lockdown bullpen and starting rotation healthy and intact next season, a Wild Card berth isn’t out of the question. Preller announced earlier that manager Bud Black would be returning next season.