Having taken over as the general manager of the San Diego Padres in 2014, A.J. Preller has overseen the acquisitions of the likes of Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. Today, this trio is an extremely important part of the Padres’ success.
As Preller agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the Friars on Monday, Machado, Tatis and Merrill reacted from the team’s clubhouse.
“It’s awesome. I don’t know anyone that loves this organization and cares about this organization, cares about this franchise, players in this clubhouse, more than that person,” Manny Machado said
“I don’t think it’s any of us BS-ing when we speak about A.J. He’s just genuine. He’s truthful to the players, and it’s awesome to see that he’s going to be here. We all believe in him.”
“It’s about time. I’m really happy. He’s our guy. If somebody deserves it, it’s totally him. We have been on this journey together,” Fernando Tatis Jr. said (Timestamp: 0:00).
he’s held me back and held me accountable more than anybody. Just really happy that my journey is attached with him.”
“He’s built a good foundation here with a lot of people. We’re excited to have him. It’s a family, and every time you got family coming back for the next year, it’s always a blast,” Jackson Merrill said.
“Specially coming off last year, a lot of the same guys, it’s huge. A lot of relationships are already built, and it’ll be fun to build some new ones with A.J.’s help.”
Manny Machado Speaks About Being On The Same Team As Childhood Friend, Nick Castellanos
One of the most notable acquisitions A.J. Preller has facilitated for the San Diego Padres this offseason has been that of Nick Castellanos.
Having been released by the Philadelphia Phillies, Preller and the Padres were quick to snap up the veteran outfielder on a league-minimum $780,000 salary, with the Phillies set to cover the remaining $19.22 million balance he is owed in 2026.
At Petco Park, Castellanos will share the clubhouse with Manny Machado, whom he has known since they were kids in Miami.
Speaking to insider Marty Caswell of The Sporting Tribune on Sunday, Manny Machado shared his feelings about being teammates with his childhood friend.
“I mean, talk about getting a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar. I think that kind of deserves an extension for (Padres general manager) A.J. (Preller). Man, me an Nick, we go way back. I mean, you know, born and raised in Miami, played together since we were little kids, so I couldn’t ask for a better teammate to come here and be a part of it,” Manny Machado said.
“For us, it all started in Miami, Florida, as kids, so now we’re here living every kid’s dream. Playing in the big leagues at the highest level together, it just tells you how life is. If you work hard, you do everything possible, dreams are able to be accomplished. I got my guy here with me, and it’s going to be a fun year, going out there to the field and playing together,” he added.
Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Nick Castellanos will be hoping to lead the San Diego Padres to their first World Series win in 2026.
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