His plan starts to unfold
Craig Kimbrel went to the Red Sox in return for a package that was headlined by current center fielder Manuel Margot.
Matt Kemp was traded to the Braves to dump his salary and Shields was also traded to the White Sox in the most lopsided trade in recent memory.
Preller traded for a 17-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic named Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tatis is now the most exciting player in the game and will be one of the faces of baseball with guys like Ronald Acuna Jr., Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts.
Back to Preller’s process. When he traded Kemp, Shields, and Kimbrel he started something special, but it had to begin with a rebuilding process.
At the time, no one knew who Chris Paddack was but Preller traded for him in a deal that sent Fernando Rodney to the Marlins, which turned out to be another lopsided deal that went in the Padres’ favor.
A coincidence… I think not.
Fast forward a couple of years later, and the San Diego Padres were above .500 for the first half of the season and have shown bright spots throughout the roster.
At the Trade Deadline, Preller added to a stacked far system built for a long period of sustainability beginning next season when he added Taylor Trammell, a left-handed hitting center fielder who has the ability to be a star in this league.
Oh, and he traded a DH, Franmil Reyes, and a back end starter (at best) in Logan Allen for him.