As AJ Preller tries to bolster the Padres after their disappointing 2021 season, in which they went 79-83, he will have a number of decisions to make. He already took one when he hired Bob Melvin as the new manager. There are still changes and free agent signatures to ponder.
The president of the baseball department and general manager of the Padres spent Wednesday gathering information at the GG Meetings in Carlsbad, California, thinking about those future decisions. But whatever Preller decides to do in the months to come could have less of an impact on the 2022 roster than a decision that was out of his hands.
The decision of Dominican shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. not to have surgery on his left shoulder could be the most important for the Padres this offseason. Tatis, a finalist in the MVP pick, visited the disabled list twice in 2021 due to partial shoulder dislocations, something he had previously experienced in the minors. In the end, he decided to opt for therapy and a rehabilitation program designed to strengthen his shoulder.
“Everybody wants to see Fernando play,” Preller said. “At the end of the day, he’s a super exciting, super shocking player. Everyone’s goal is to look up and see Fernando on the field throughout the season and in the playoffs. “
“At the end of the day, this is the path that he felt he wanted to follow and we supported him in his decision.”
Preller said the Padres gave Tatis as much information as possible, including opinions from doctors outside the organization. They will have to pass 162 games to know if Tatis made the right decision, but the first signs are positive.
“He’s already on his offseason work schedule,” Preller said. “The shoulder is as strong as ever. The tests say it is strengthened. Now it’s a matter of getting ready for the campaign. “
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Preller supports Tatis in his winter plan