Padres: Should Preller be under scrutiny? Not at all
![PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Executive V.P./General Manager A.J. Preller talks to the media at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Executive V.P./General Manager A.J. Preller talks to the media at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/14fc5e225f538ddbbbac9c38f19ef2912094a52621b001befe6f7761d6ae7571.jpg)
Preller’s plan beginning to result in contention
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The window of contention starts next season and Preller has done a great job during the rebuilding process, as he has built the foundation of what will be sustainable for the foreseeable future that San Diego Padres fans haven’t seen in 20 years.
A.J. Preller put together a plan to start contending in 2020 and for him to be under scrutiny the year before that window opens doesn’t make sense at all.
You can’t scrutinize a GM who has followed his plan all the way up until the start of contention, but then not see the plan through.
Were people scrutinizing Jeff Luhnow before the Astros young core (Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman) was in the big leagues? I don’t think so.
While part of the young core is up (Tatis and Paddack), some are still developing in the minor leagues but will be in San Diego next season.
That young core for the San Diego Padres includes the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, MacKenzie Gore, and Luis Patino who dominated in the Futures Game in Cleveland.
Ken Rosenthal states Preller “has proven to build a highly ranked farm system, but not a winning team.”
Well, the winning comes after the rebuilding process and that process is in its last season.
So, should Preller be under scrutiny? Not at all. He is just letting the plan pan out.
Next. 2019 MLB season: AL CY Young Awards Predictions. dark
I want to make it clear I have nothing against Ken Rosenthal, in fact, I believe he is the best reporter in the industry, but I just disagreed with one of his points.