MLB Rangers Assistant GM A.J. Preller has "emerged as a leading candidate" to become the next Padres GM, according to Gerry Fraley of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Preller, a "close adviser and college roommate" of Rangers President of Baseball Operations & GM Jon Daniels, will be brought back by the Padres "for a second interview." It is unknown if any other candidate for the position "has been asked to return" for another interview. Padres Exec Chair Ron Fowler has indicated that the team hopes to have a new GM "in place after the July 31 no-waivers trade deadline" (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/13). In San Diego, Dennis Lin reported the Padres search "has grown to eight interviewees" after MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Kim Ng talked with the team about the opening. Ng "previously interviewed for the Padres' GM opening in 2009." Meanwhile, Padres Assistant GM A.J. Hinch "will not interview" for the position. Hinch will "continue running the Padres' baseball operations" along with Omar Minaya and Fred Uhlman Jr. The trio has been in place since the firing of GM Josh Byrnes last month (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/12).
