MLB suspends Padres general manager A.J. Preller for 30 days
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that they had completed their investigation into a July 14 trade that sent pitcher Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Pardes to the Boston Red Sox. And as a result of their findings, the league has suspended Padres executive vice president and general manager A.J. Preller for 30 days without pay.
The league’s press release reads as follows:
Major League Baseball has completed an investigation into the July 14th transaction in which pitcher Drew Pomeranz was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Boston Red Sox. MLB’s Department of Investigations conducted the thorough review, which included interviews with relevant individuals from both Clubs. The findings were submitted to Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.
As a result of this matter, Major League Baseball announced today that A.J. Preller, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Padres, has received a 30-day suspension without pay.
MLB considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.
At least three teams, including the Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox and the aforementioned Red Sox, were reportedly “enraged” by what has been termed “strategic deception” over the Padres’ poor medical record keeping and deliberate attempts to mislead trade partners.
Preller and the Padres had allegedly instructed their athletic trainers to keep two sets of records — one for the team’s internal use and one for industry use. The intent was to better their potential trade values with whatever players may have hit the block.
During his time with the Texas Rangers, where he served as Director of International and Professional Scouting, Preller had also been suspended by the MLB for international improprieties.
