AJ Preller’s all-in commitment fuels Padres championship dream

It has been clear for a while now that AJ Preller badly wants to win. It feels like he has made it his life's mission to win a World Series with the San Diego Padres. His insane trade deadline's and offseason whirlwinds have made it clear Preller is willing to do whatever it takes to build a talented roster in San Diego year in and year out.

He recently spoke to MLB.com about his desire to deliver a championship, and it revealed insight into how he hopes to accomplish his goal.

Padres' AJ Preller is set on the team winning a World Series any given season

“If we’re getting a team that, year in and year out, competes for a world championship,” Preller said. "That’s the goal - to give the fan base of San Diego a chance to do it.”

Preller wants to achieve consistent success, year after year. That's a big reason why he has signed so many stars to long-term contracts, hoping to keep enough talent in San Diego every year that they never fall out of contention.

"We’ve made a commitment to a core group of players. Part of that is philosophical -- that, year in and year out, you want to look up as a fan and say, ‘They have some really quality players coming back.’ We’re not starting from scratch.”

Keeping the same core in place for many seasons in a row not only gives the team a baseline level of competitiveness every season, it enhances the fan experience by allowing fans to fall in love with players and become invested.

Despite all the big moves he has swung over the years, Preller's Padres' still have not delivered on a World Series win. Preller seems to have faith, however,

“The more opportunity we get to get in there,” Preller said, “the more chances you have to have that one year to make it special and go all the way.”

2025 will be another opportunity, with San Diego's magic number down to 11. Could this year be the year for the Padres to finally win it all? If not, it is safe to say Preller will try even harder to make it happen in 2026 and beyond.