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Franchise Notes

In San Diego, Dennis Lin notes Padres Exec VP & GM A.J. Preller yesterday returned from his "unprecedented" 30-day suspension, "venturing into an altered and uncertain landscape." Preller, previously reported to President & CEO Mike Dee, but after his firing last week, Preller "now does so" to Exec Chair Ron Fowler and co-Owner Peter Seidler. That structure is likely to "carry over when the Padres name Dee’s replacement, though the search for a new business-side leader has barely begun." Preller’s bosses have "steadfastly supported him, even as others throughout the game have questioned his credibility" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/20).

SEARCH PARTY
: The Earthquakes have hired executive search firm Nolan Partners to help identify the team's next GM. Nolan Partners has placed several GMs and sporting directors, including filling roles for NYC FC and EPL clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Co-leading the search is Nolan Partners Global Head of Performance Practice Euan Frizzell and Managing Dir of North America Chad Biagini (Earthquakes).

HEIR TO THE THRONE: In Detroit, Tony Paul writes given that the Tigers "clearly have an edict to cut the payroll, you have to wonder if it's coming from their heir apparent," Ilitch Holdings President & CEO Chris Ilitch. Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch is 87, and "may not be as involved with the team as he has been in the past." Under Mike Ilitch, the Tigers have been "aggressive spenders every year since Comerica Park opened" in '00 (DETROIT NEWS, 10/20).

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: In San Jose, Tim Kawakami writes with the 49ers 1-5, "I don't think [GM Trent] Baalke realistically can be saved." But with Baalke's "ability to navigate the byzantine ... politics" of the York family, which owns the team, "you just never know." Kawakami: "If you know [49ers CEO Jed York], you know this is how he does it with employees he likes -- he maintains whispered support and wants to believe it'll work out ... until the moment he has to fire the employee and pretend he never whispered any of it" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/20).

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