Padres, GM A.J. Preller under pressure to produce despite an expected lower payroll

A.J. Preller had the benefit of a free-spending and patient owner during his past few seasons as general manager of the San Diego Padres. Eric Kutsenda has taken over as the San Diego Padres control person following the death of owner Peter Seidler in November. Kutsenda is a co-founder and managing partner of Seidler Equity Partners and a friend of Seidler's for more than 30 years.