Padres Rumors: 'Impossible for AJ Preller and Bob Melvin to Continue to Co-Exist,' Insider Sheds Light on Fractured Relationship

Something needs to change for next season.

The 2023 season for the San Diego Padres was one of pure disappointment. There is no way to sugarcoat it because they failed to live up to the high expectations that were put on them to begin the season.

The Friars looked disengaged for the better part of the year and only started to put things together in the last few weeks of the year. But it was too late for them, and the hole that they had dug for themselves was too deep to climb out of. Simply, they ran out of time.

So, now entering the offseason, the team has a lot to figure out. There has been talk about them moving on from manager Bob Melvin, and even the slight possibility of them getting rid of President of Baseball Operations, A.J. Preller.

The team plans to hold a behind-closed-doors meeting on Monday to go over what happened this season and figure out the next steps. Melvin seems like the more likely candidate to be let go, and the relationship between Melvin and Preller seems like it can’t be fixed. Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that it’s impossible for the two men to co-exist.

“San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin and GM A.J. Preller have told friends and associates that it’s simply impossible for the two to co-exist in 2024 and that their meeting Monday with Padres’ ownership will not change their minds.”



Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today

If Melvin were to be let go, there has been plenty of talk about him heading up north to join the San Francisco Giants. They just fired their manager, and Melvin could be the perfect guy to take over a Giants team that could be ready to strike soon.

“This is why the firing of Kapler provides an amicable way to end their ugly marriage. The Padres can provide permission for the Giants to interview and hire Melvin, who spent 11 years managing in Oakland and three years working with Giants president Farhan Zaidi, and be off the hook for his $4 million salary in 2024. The Giants likely would provide Melvin a three-year contract for about $12 million if they hire him.”



Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today

It could be a win-win for both sides if this happened. Melvin gets to leave the Padres and has a chance to stick it to them by managing a divisional rival. Preller gets rid of Melvin and can promote someone whom he wants to take his place.

“That way, Melvin will be ecstatic to be free of Preller and return to the Bay Area while Preller can promote bench coach Ryan Flaherty or perhaps coach Mike Shildt from their staff.”

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today

It seems like there is a lot of dysfunction within the Padres organization, so this offseason will be a chance to change that. They have a lot of questions to answer this winter, and it starts with their personal possibly being shaken up.