Padres News: AJ Preller Plans to Buy at Deadline But Keeping Options Open

The Friars may not be waving the white flag just yet.

At first glance, the San Diego Padres are a team in the midst of a tailspin.

Sitting ten games out of first in the NL West and a just as daunting eight games back in the race for a wild card spot, the Friars aren't playing like a team that should remain optimistic as far as their hopes for this season are concerned.

Padres general manager AJ Preller has a different view on things, telling Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio that his team won't necessarily be open for business as the August 1 trade deadline approaches.

Don't expect there to be a trade deadline sale happening in San Diego. @Padres | #Padres | #BringTheGold | @JimDuquetteGM | @JimBowdenGM pic.twitter.com/de7wHzUJi0

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 16, 2023

Preller focused on the strength of San Diego's pitching staff and a star-studded lineup as opposed to their current deficits in the standings, but injuries have taken a toll on the team, especially on the pitching side.

That said, if the team can break free from the injury bug and play more consistently, they do have enough on paper to potentially climb back into playoff contention.

"The big pieces are there." -- Padres GM AJ Preller via Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio

Preller's assessment is correct that the team has plenty of talent -- from Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Michael Wacha to Fernando Tatis, Jr., Juan Soto, and Manny Machado just to name a few.

It's been the combination of poor performance and unfortunate health that have San Diego looking far up at a postseason spot.

Even though Preller took a glass half full perspective on what's been a very disappointing year for the Padres, he did leave the possibility of a potential sale open.

“… you’ve always gotta be ready to adjust and adapt depending on what’s out there, but we’ll see and we’ll see how things play out.”

So one thing is clear for the Friars with the trade deadline looming just two weeks away.

While Preller would like to ride this season out and see where things are come October, the team does need to win games soon or potentially face some changes on the roster and a long term goal come next month.