Report: Padres to hire Rangers' A.J. Preller as new GM

A.J. Preller, the former assistant general manager of the Texas Rangers, will become the new general manager of the San Diego Padres, according to Ken Rosenthal

A.J. Preller, the former assistant general manager of the Texas Rangers, will become the new general manager of the San Diego Padres, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the deal is for five years. 

The Padres have yet to announce Preller as their new GM. He would replace Josh Byrnes, who was fired in June after two-plus seasons. 

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Preller, 36, has worked with the Rangers over the last 10 years and was in charge of the team's player development and scouting departments.

Preller has drawn praise for seeking out talented international players. During his tenure, the Rangers added Japanese ace Yu Darvish, Cuban outfielder Leonys Martin and Curacaoan infielder Jurickson Profar.

The Padres won 76 games in 2012 and 2013 and opened Wednesday at 51-61, in third place in the National League West.

Sources: #Padres hire A.J. Preller as GM.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 6, 2014

- Chris Johnson