Padres GM suspended after investigation into Pomeranz trade
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller has been suspended 30 days without pay after an investigation into the July 14 trade involving left-hander Drew Pomeranz and the Boston Red Sox.
Padres athletic trainers were instructed to maintain two separate medical files on their players to give them an advantage in potential trades, ESPN's Buster Olney reported Thursday, citing sources. Representatives from the Red Sox, Miami Marlins, and Chicago White Sox - all involved in trades with San Diego throughout the season - were reportedly enraged by the team's deception.
"I accept full responsibility for issues related to the oversight of our medical administration and record keeping," Preller said in a statement. "I want to emphasize that there was no malicious intent on the part of me, or anyone on my staff, to conceal information or disregard MLB's recommended guidelines. This has been a learning process for me. I will serve my punishment and look forward to being back on the job in 30 days."
Preller won't be fired or receive further discipline from the Padres, a high-ranking club official told USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
The league issued the following statement:
Major League Baseball has completed an investigation into the July 14th transaction in which pitcher Drew Pomeranz was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Boston Red Sox. MLB's Department of Investigations conducted the thorough review, which included interviews with relevant individuals from both clubs. The findings were submitted to Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr.
As a result of this matter, Major League Baseball announced today that A.J. Preller, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Padres, has received a 30-day suspension without pay.
MLB considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.
The Padres traded the 27-year-old Pomeranz to the Red Sox for Boston's top pitching prospect, Anderson Espinoza.
In early August, a separate report from Olney stated a trade involving pitcher Colin Rea - who was sent to the Marlins and later returned to the Padres after experiencing elbow trouble - was under investigation as well. Sources told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that San Diego won't face further punishment for the deal, since it has already been reworked.
It's Preller's second MLB suspension. His first, a three-month ban that was later reduced to one month, came in 2010, when he was head of the Texas Rangers' international operations.
He was hired as the Padres' GM on Aug. 5, 2014.