The Padres can travel at exciting speeds trying to get where they want to go, only to take a shortcut and find themselves on one of those Mayor Faulconer roads -- you know, in disrepair, where cosmetic surgery hasn’t worked and ends in a disappointing cul-de-sac, the baseball team eventually squealing into a rut and turning itself upside down, wheels spinning.

So, with the trade deadline approaching, they brought in the tow truck once again. Tick. Tock. The clock struck 1 Friday and no mice ran down. General Manager A.J. Preller righted the vehicle and drove it away with nothing (except for a minor deal for a Cleveland reliever) in his trunk. He either wouldn’t make a big deal or didn’t like what was offered.

He chose to drive himself and not get taken for a ride.

If I’m the only San Diegan not displeased, too bad. We’ve stepped in this crap too many times. Standing pat isn’t always a bad thing.


If Preller refused to give people away, good for him. I’m tired of the Padres improving other teams. I think the whole trade deadline stinks. It’s pathetic, with the rich getting richer, getting known for the unknown. Prospects are prospects for a reason. Doing something just to do something and appease the national insiders stinks.

Besides, trades still can get done this month. If a team wants a Padre bad enough, it should have to pay the price. We’ve had enough Fred McGriffs around here. If Preller still believes this team can make the playoffs, which I do not, it’s his business. It’s up to his employers to decide if he’s doing the right thing.

It’s also up to A.J. and his bosses to come up with a plan and stick with it. But if Preller did one thing Friday, he sent a message: “If you come to my table, be serious. The days of the Padres taking hand-me-downs are over.”

Test the market. Get free pub. The Larry Lucchino playbook.


The franchise has had one sustained problem over its 46-plus seasons of existence: Figuring out a way to compete. Much like the city in which they reside and attempt to tempt, the Padres don’t know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. Their file always seems to be cold case.

Not that they haven’t tried. This current ownership/management group is breaking its back trying. It has great intentions. But it’s attempting to compensate too fast, turning its tires away from the skid. What’s happened hasn’t been their fault. Baseball’s history is filled with failures trying to win the game with one mighty swing.

It isn’t often the alternative route gets a baseball team to its preferred destination. It certainly hasn’t happened to this organization, which has spent most of its 556 playing months wandering aimlessly around the countryside, vision good in one eye and bad in the other.

I know precisely what’s wrong with the Padres. I sincerely hope they can fix it Preller’s way, but they may not have the wherewithal. What they need is luck. Historically, they’ve had little of it. In almost every way, it’s astounding how unlucky they’ve been.


When I think of Preller I recall what Napoleon said: “I know he’s a good general, but is he lucky?”

Is A.J. lucky? Not since he took command last August. He waved a wand, but what he pulled out of the hat basically barked instead of hopped.

Preller no doubt tried to get a shortstop. He needs one. Shortstops are hard to come by and he didn’t get what he wanted. So he should try developing one. The organization should try developing everyday players, which has been its downfall, absolutely. It’s the sure way to reach their destination. The other route is for the billionaires, and that doesn’t always work out, either

They need a center fielder, and, remarkably, they may be developing one in Travis Jankowski.


Maybe it was a bit surprising A.J. didn’t deal 2016 free agents Justin Upton, Will Venable, Ian Kennedy, Joaquin Benoit or Shawn Kelly. It would be great if they can resign Upton as a cornerstone. They need more Justin Uptons.

Unlike so many others, I’m ecstatic he didn’t deal closer Craig Kimbrel, who is under contract for a while. To contend, Preller needs a closer. Starter James Shields’ large contract probably scared off potential buyers, but don’t be surprised if they try to get him through waivers and move him this month.

They must build from within. The Dodgers, as an example, got Joc Pederson in the 11th round of the draft. Teams luck into players. Not everyone’s a No. 1 (a round in which the Pads always have stunk). That they’ve developed but a handful of top flight position players from the farm since 1969 remains one of the more astonishing mysteries in sports.

It’s bad luck. As Jefferson said: “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”


A.J. Preller works hard. Maybe he got lucky Friday doing nothing.

But, for now, the Jury of Good Fortune remains sequestered on his fate.

sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter: @sdutCanepa