Good season.  Bad ending to Post season.  Again.

Those were the parameters as AJ Preller and Craig Stammen held their end of season press conference.

We know what they accomplished.  We know what they failed at.

Up next is the great unknown.

The headlines read: Status of pitching staff.  Retain top 1B.  Re-sign big money free agent.  

The players have all spoken in glowing terms about Petco Park, the fans, the organization.  Great to hear.  Now follow thru and stay.

What would be better to hear would be the Padres finding a way to keep Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Adrian Morejon and Ty France.

This will take some creative financing from the GM, and a follow thru on the ‘All In’ ideaology of the Team Feliciano leadership in terms of the budget.

Preller has been spectacular at finding talent.  He also must be held accountable for some hefty contracts that have put this franchise under water.  The farm system is barren because that has been his currency to make deals.  But he has always been able to ‘move money around’ and get talent to fill holes-needs or to buy insurance policy gambles.

At the end of the day, the Friars have yet to be to a World Series with his blueprint, and unless there is a bump up in payroll, it may be hard to think they are any closer at this hour than they have been in the last five years of success at Petco Park.

If King opts out, can they re-sign him at a bigger figure-how much-how long?

Pivetta has a club option, but maybe an extension, with injury protections helps.

Morejon could be looking at a (20M) payday-he deserves it-maybe three years

France gambled on himself and was spectacular-so he deserves a payday

Walker Buehler is deserving of an extension

Casey Mize was a one off-is there a future investment to make on him?

Joe Musgrove can pitch, but what role and how long does he hold up?

Yu Darvish and a comeback or does he give money back again?

Is there a quality free agent starter you could add to the bulldog straff?

Is there a way to add another bat that makes a difference in a hot-cold order?

If they lose any of this pitching, they are no longer the same team.  

Lots of questions for a 93-win team that won’t be one if they lose arms.

Preller history is that of card playing riverboat gambler.  His history of ‘Boots on the Ground scouting’ and ways to find players, especially pitching, has been unique.  His use of club currency, prospects, has helped bail him out of bad deals that did not work out.  Trust the process because of his track record.  But it would be nice if the Friars would get to a World Series.

Highlites from all things Preller-Stammen’s press conference:

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AJ PRELLER:

Very good season..hard to win 90-games a year-3 years in a row-we did.

Goal remains-play in a World Series

We have to take the next step with a good nucleus

Priority is the offense and then the starters.

1st half of season-scratch your head..Good at bats in playoffs vs Cubs-Milw

Experience in 24-25-26-shown how hard it is to score in post season

Alot of ways for us to make the next step

Blank canvas on this pitching situation-free agency-trades

Rotation of King-Pivetta-Musgrove is a starting point

‘All In’ ownership-they have seen fan base-stadium-know organization

How to get there is different every year.

Payroll-we will know in a couple of weeks-for 3 years been constant

Want to deal with our free agents first-then get into outside free agents

Catching is in a good position-committed alot of resources

Michael King-was an ace-has a right to opt out-now we retain him

Nick Pivetta-we have him for a year if not longer

Adrian Morejon-big to retain him-can handle heavy workload-wants the ball

Joe Musgrove-must determine his role by spring training

Yu Darvish-done his rehab-his call to try comeback-special mentality

Luis Campusano-he has developed dedication

Ethan Salas-great growth-nothing guaranteed

Ty France-proved alot-bet on himself-super talent

Gavin Sheets-no surgery likely on ankle

Jeremiah Estrada-will be ready by spring

Ramon Laureano-was close to playing if we advanced

Craig Stammen-coming from organization-knew people-philosophy-good dynamics

Pending lockout..the CEOs will decide this-the health of the sport is the key

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CRAIG STAMMEN:

 Managing a big challenge..Just like pitching-I accepted it

Learning curve

Had to make decisions with convictions-accept the result

Season was draining as a player-same as a manager

Proud of run we made-how exciting Petco Park is

Pitching-had to figure out this puzzle all year

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