Quote from Randy Manese on October 17, 2025, 8:28 am

Physically, he probably could do it but don't think that is Darvish's mindset.  He's already has a legacy as a SP and I believe that's the way he wants his career to be remembered - not as a RP and not as a guy just hanging on for the money.  Don't think he is washed up as a starter, just greatly overpaid for a #4 or #5 SP - expect he would have success against much lesser experienced SPs who you usually find in the bottom of a rotation - but that ERA is likely to be 4.25+ from now on.

Quote from Randy Manese on October 17, 2025, 8:32 am

Quote from fenn68 on October 17, 2025, 12:17 am

MLBTradeRumors has a piece on Nick Castellanos and the PHILS. Apparently the PHILS are considering releasing him or trading him for a "nominal return" and the other team taking $3-5MM of his $20MM contract for 2026 (then a FA).

An option for the Padres? First he is one of the worst fielders in the league ... so a RH DH only ... had a underwhelming offensive season yet did hit 17 HR and 72 RBI. Some conflict with the PHILS' manager after being taken out of the OF for defensive purposes (so maybe an attitude issue).

Padres would like a power bat ... and for only about $5MM in salary and a "nominal" player return for one year might makes sense. Think the PHILS could use RP and that is the one area the Padres have depth to deal from ... so a match if they can settle on who is "nominal". Maybe in the Reynolds / Marinaccio range plus a lottery ticket minor leaguer. Maybe to balance money, Padres trade them Matsui and just take the offset money on Castellano ... both teams stay the same on money by dealing two underperforming players while addressing needs.

Guessing trade partners for one year of an aging under perming DH are very limited (if any) so if Preller steps in a good chance he can land him cheaply. Or they could wait for PHIL to release him (he will not get claimed on waivers) and try to sign him as a FA for league minimum with PHIL eating the rest of his contract. How much would the Padres give up (money / players) to avoid the risk of another team trading for him or as a FA selecting another team.

One to watch.

This might be the Campusano + RP trade (Matsui or Peralta) that has been speculated with the Phils swallowing a large portion of Castellanos' salary.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 17, 2025, 10:24 am

Read on MLBTR that there has been some possible tension between Preller and top execs/ownership of the front office dating back to the hire of Shildt. Apparently Preller wanted Flaherty instead of Shildt and he was pushed into Shildt by Greupner and Kutsenda.

The article also speculates that its possible that Preller may not get an extension. Not insinuating a dismissal, but maybe possible instead of having a lame duck President of Baseball Operations/GM which could lead to potential managerial candidates issues.

Of course the article also flips and says that this could be overstated by FO leaks and that Preller could get an extension and hire Flaherty, which was his first choice last time anyways.

Could lead to some interesting fodder over the next week or so??

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/latest-on-a-j-preller.html

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 17, 2025, 10:34 am

From MLBTradeRumors (and Dennis Lin):

The report notes that Preller’s preferred choice for the manager role going into 2024 was Ryan Flaherty, though it’s suggested that Greupner and special advisor Eric Kutsenda may have overruled him to tap Shildt instead.

The article also suggest there is ongoing tension between Greupner (who has been extended and given some ownership) and Preller. Ownership seems to be on the side of Greupner.

All that leads to the speculation that Preller may not get extended (contract ends after 2026). Take that to the next level ... hard to hire a managerial candidate who is in demand if an unknown about who he reports to in a year. As it is the hire is a collaborative again among Preller, Greupner, and Siedler.

I guess given that background ... would not rule out a firing of Preller soon ... get a new GM/Manager combo that fits the objectives of the bosses Greupner and Siedler. Shildt retiring may have accelerated that move by one year.

Quote from fenn68 on October 17, 2025, 11:44 am

If the hiring process of Shildt still relies on Greupner / Siedler ... not Preller ... would that suggest a veteran manager with s0me track record of success over a new unproven candidate?

Not sure who is out there that fits that profile ... Davy Martinez (NATS) did win a few years back ... I guess a few others who were recently fired but also had recent success. Guessing the options from the past (but names always come up) like Bochy, Showalter, Madden, Girardi are past consideration.

This info does put a different spin on a managerial choice.

---

Also, if Greupner and Siedler are exercising more control over baseball operations ... both are "businessmen" ... might that also impact (besides the manager) the future strategy on signing / trading prospects. Maybe a different line between controlling long term finances while still trying to fill the park ... while winning.

I could see them being resistant to any more big money / long term deals given the current commitments for the next decade while changing the approach to trading top prospects in hopes of getting low cost value as big cash kicks in for Tatis, Machado, Merrill in about 5 years ... plus the expect big arbitration decisions on some like Miller ... and even Fermin and the other parts of the top relief corps.

Plus in the sort run ... if they believe in the lockout for 2027 where no revenues come in but still have to run a system ... minors, scouts, front office, debt servicing that will still have to be funded ... might actually be conservative around signing any big 2026 deals (even if one year) to build a cushion.

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 17, 2025, 12:13 pm

They need to extend Preller and let him hire the Mgr.

Why would we want "non" baseball guys making these decisions?

Flaherty may be one of the few candidates that would take the gig even if Preller isn't extended.

I trust AJ to rebuild the Farm system much more than anyone they could hire.

Last year we had to deal with the Ownership/Control person squabbles and now this.

Ugh

 

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 17, 2025, 12:44 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 17, 2025, 12:13 pm

They need to extend Preller and let him hire the Mgr.

Why would we want "non" baseball guys making these decisions?

Flaherty may be one of the few candidates that would take the gig even if Preller isn't extended.

I trust AJ to rebuild the Farm system much more than anyone they could hire.

Last year we had to deal with the Ownership/Control person squabbles and now this.

Ugh

 

 

 

 

Preller is getting results, but I have been in enough organizations when there is conflict (be it philosophical or personal) with the higher ups ... the higher ups get their way and the subordinate is ousted (or at least does not get his way).

Clearly Preller is not likely to get his way on the manager if different than the higher ups' choice.

Never great timing to oust a GM but IF Greupner has an internal choice (even interim) he is comfortable with ... might make the move. My mind went to Loretta who is Greupner's man on the business side of the organization. Guy with credibility on both operations and business sides.

My guess Preller stays though 2026 and the Padres deal with a lame duck GM and an "interim" veteran manager on a 1 year deal. Remember likely a 2027 lockout and ending with a new CBA ... create a new vision heading for 2028?

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 17, 2025, 12:58 pm

Greupner isn't even a baseball guy.....could care less what he thinks is best for on the field stuff.

Sounds like they're gonna make a bad decision just to get their way.

We're right in the middle of the best run in Padres history so of course we're gonna muck it up any way we can!

Ridiculous

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on October 18, 2025, 7:15 am

Owner involvement is inevitable ... every organization. Just where that starts and stops is the question.

Clearly most (but there have been a few) stay away from calling down during the game and directing the line-up, etc. However, it is their job to select the GM out of a sea of alternatives. Every owner will select a candidate that they believe can lead operations AND get along with ownership with a similar philosophy ... some "appreciation" of what it takes to keep an organization afloat for the long run. That should keep the owners out of the day to day stuff ... but if the GM deviates then the owners (and in our case that is Gruepner in that role) has to step in.

Similar in the selection of a manager ... the GM (and owner) if on the same page ... select a person who is also bring the same philosophy and is someone they believe they can work collaboratively with. IF that is successful selection .. likely no (or little) need for any direction to the manager from the higher ups on a day to day basis ... but will have on-going discussions on strategy as the season forces changes.

Sort of a counter intuitive ... if the desire is to keep owners - GM out of the manger's day to day decisions ... have all them with the same philosophy towards on-field and off-field issues with a non-confrontational working relationship. Sure different opinions on some issues but a working relationship that allow them be resolved without conflict ... and recognition that the boss makes the final call.

Basically attempting to build a cohesive "team" from owner to manager. So, the owner (hopefully an owner that wants to produce a winning organization) does know (has his belief) what what it takes financially to keep the organization successful for the long term and wants (needs) all the subordinates to understand, appreciate, and take actions consistent with that view. The GM (and indeed the whole operations team ... e.g. analytics) has to take that and manage that into short / mid-term success and the manager has to then make current year success ... all in collaboration.

Not sure what is going on in the Padres house ... have to always expect differing opinions and if resolved without conflict / hostility not really an issue ... however, it the differences result conflict, a problem.