A.J. Preller will have second interview for San Diego Padres GM opening

One would think that there would be a line of people jumping at the chance to interview for an open general manager position in Major League Baseball, but the San Diego Padres have seen the process move along very slowly as they look to fill the position. Numerous candidates have elected to take themselves out of consideration, for one reason or another.

Sources have told Gerry Fraley at the Dallas Morning News that Texas Rangers assistant GM, A.J. Preller, will receive a second interview for the opening. Preller is believed to be a leading candidate at this point in time and is the first publicly confirmed to have a second round of discussions with the team.

Preller joined the Rangers front office last November, with a focus on international scouting. He had worked in the club’s player personnel department from 2010 to 2013. Preller is a long time friend of GM Jon Daniels.

Josh Byrnes was let go by the Padres on June 22. The team has reportedly spoken with close to a dozen candidates since, with the hope of having a new general manage start shortly after the trade deadline passes at month’s end. While there’s been little discussed publicly about their plans, it has been reported that some candidates have backed out of the process over concerns that the club’s rebuilding efforts may take longer than ownership is willing to accept.