Preller talks Padres' offseason priorities following NLDS exit

SAN DIEGO -- On the day after the World Series matchup was officially set, Padres general manager A.J. Preller held his end-of-season media availability.

"Obviously," Preller said during a brief opening statement, "we wish we were still playing baseball."

In a wide-ranging 40-minute conference call, Preller spoke about a number of different topics that await the Padres this offseason. Here are some of the highlights:

Shortstop options
The Padres have a roster full of shortstops. But there's still no clarity on their starting shortstop in 2025. The first part of that equation is Ha-Seong Kim.

Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in late September, an operation that could keep him out into the early months of the 2025 season. Kim and the Padres hold a mutual option worth $10 million for '25, which Kim seems likely to decline.

"He's a really talented and valuable player," Preller said. "From our standpoint, we'd love to bring him back. We've just got to get into [the offseason], see where that leaves us."

Kim turned 29 on Thursday. He's an elite defender at a premium position and a valuable offensive player. Demand for his services will be high.

If Kim doesn't return, the Padres have a vacancy. Even if he does, they'll presumably have a vacancy early in the season. In September, Xander Bogaerts moved from second to short in the wake of Kim's injury. He seems the likeliest option.

But Preller wouldn't commit beyond: "We'll obviously start the year with a shortstop. So we'll figure it out."

Preller did seem to note a preference for keeping Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. -- two one-time shortstops -- in the outfield.

"They'd probably love that possibility," Preller said. "They always joke around -- 'Whatever's needed.' The great part of those guys is they're talented athletes, they can play different spots. ... But Tati winning the Platinum [Glove] two years ago, and Jackson doing a tremendous job in center field this year, we know that they're really good at what they do in the outfield."

Contracts for Shildt and Niebla a priority
Manager Mike Shildt is entering the final year of his contract, coming off a 93-win season which qualifies as the second most successful regular season in franchise history. It's rare that a manager enters the final season of his deal without an extension. Preller acknowledged he'd prefer that not to be the case.

"That's going to be something that we look to do here over the course of the next couple weeks, try to see if we can line up with Mike and the coaching staff," Preller said. "... The motivation is there to try to see if we can line up."

Meanwhile, the contract for pitching coach Ruben Niebla is up. Niebla is widely regarded as one of the best in baseball and a driving force behind the Padres' pitching success over the past few seasons.

Like Shildt, Niebla is an obvious priority.

"Ruben's done a really good job here," Preller said. "He's been a really big part of it over the past three seasons. ... I feel confident he really loves the organization, loves it here, loves the city.

"Those are conversations for the next couple weeks, and my guess is we'll line up on something."

NLDS reflections
A trip to the World Series for the rival Dodgers served as the backdrop to Monday’s conference call. Ten days prior, the Padres had taken Los Angeles to the brink in the NLDS, but went scoreless across the final 24 innings and lost in five games.

Preller was asked about what he could take from the final two games of that series. He noted the small-sample nature of the results, before insisting the Padres needed to learn from the experience.

“It’s probably a little bit: ‘Hey, it’s two games,’” Preller said. “We’ll look at it as a group and see if there are any other learnings to make sure our offense from top to bottom all year long -- especially in the postseason -- clicks on all cylinders.

“I think we’re best when we’re moving the ball, putting pressure on other teams. We didn’t quite do that enough at the end of the year.”

Preller then took time to laud the fanbase and the city for a memorable season, which saw regular Petco Park sellouts and a raucous postseason atmosphere.

“It’s pretty obvious right now something very special is going on in San Diego,” Preller said. “The fans love this team, love this ballpark, and this city’s just so excited. For us, that’s where it stings the most. From day one, I’ve spoken about being on that big stage. That big stage is the World Series. We’re not going to be content until we get there.”