Padres Extend GM A.J. Preller After Machado's Endorsement

Preller's contract extension comes a day after star player Manny Machado publicly called for the team to keep their GM.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The San Diego Padres have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller, just a day after star player Manny Machado publicly endorsed Preller and called for the team to keep him. Preller is widely regarded as one of the best GMs in Major League Baseball, known for his team-building abilities and savvy trades despite the Padres not yet getting over the hump to the World Series.

Why it matters

Preller's extension is seen as a positive move for the Padres, as he has helped build a competitive roster through trades and free agent signings, even if the team has yet to reach the ultimate goal of a championship. Machado's public endorsement of Preller also shows the strong relationship between the star player and the GM, which is crucial for team chemistry and morale.

The details

The Padres announced the multi-year extension for Preller a day after Machado called for the team to keep their GM following the signing of free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos. Preller is known for his ability to wheel and deal, bringing in underrated players who have turned into impact performers. Despite not landing any superstar free agents this offseason, Preller has added solid depth pieces like Griffin Canning, Miguel Andujar, and German Marquez to complement the Padres' existing core.

  • On February 15, 2026, Manny Machado publicly called for the Padres to extend A.J. Preller's contract.
  • On February 16, 2026, the Padres announced they had agreed to a multi-year extension with Preller.

The players

Manny Machado

The star third baseman for the San Diego Padres who publicly endorsed extending GM A.J. Preller's contract.

A.J. Preller

The President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the San Diego Padres, known for his team-building abilities and savvy trades.

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What they’re saying

“The Padres announced they have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller.”

— Sammy Levitt, Reporter, 97.3 The Fan (Twitter/X)

What’s next

The Padres will look to build on their roster moves this offseason and make a push for the playoffs in 2026 with Preller leading the way as their extended GM.

The takeaway

Preller's extension is a vote of confidence from the Padres organization and their star player Manny Machado, showing the team's commitment to keeping their front office leadership in place as they continue to build a contender in San Diego.