Padres News: AJ Preller Reacts to Busy Trade Deadline

Slam Diego didn't hear any bell!

After a flurry of moves that solidified the franchise's position as buyers at this year's trade deadline, Padres GM AJ Preller had much to say on the team's direction for the final two months of the year. 

When describing his mentality despite a lackluster sub-.500 record before the deadline, Preller had the confidence to add to the roster rather than subtract. 

"We’ve got a team we think can win," Preller said. "The thinking in buying at the deadline. If we were able to add to the club, it would give us a chance over the next couple months."

via Kevin Acee, San Diego Tribune

Preller has been known to buy big since he rose to the top of San Diego's front office, first displayed in 2015. In that season, Preller dealt for Matt Kemp, Derek Norris and Craig Kimbrel among many other win-now veterans that ultimately proved disastrous for the franchise. 

After scaling back such an aggressive approach to close the 2010s, Preller has continued an aggressive approach to roster construction this decade. Just last season, he dealt top pitching and hitting prospects Mackenzie Gore and C.J. Abrams to the nation's capital for superstar talent Juan Soto. 

This past offseason's moves to bring in shortstop Xander Bogaerts on a long-term deal as well as long-term extensions for third baseman Manny Machado and starter Yu Darvish indicated a wish to keep this talented core together. 

Despite a lack of results this year, the Padres dealt for pitching help through starter Rich Hill from the Pirates and reliever Scott Barlow from the Royals. 

On the other side of the ball, Preller dealt for Garrett Cooper from the Marlins and also brought back Ji-Man Choi from the same deal that netted Hill. 

It's a risky move this year with the Padres still out of a Wild Card spot to this point, but Preller seems convinced in his club's turnaround to bring postseason baseball back to Petco Park in October.