San Diego Padres CEO Erik Greupner spoke publicly for the first time this offseason, providing insight into the team’s plans and expectations for the upcoming season. Greupner’s comments came during a media availability session at Petco Park, where he addressed a range of topics, including the team’s offseason strategy, player personnel, and the overall state of the franchise.
Greupner began by acknowledging the disappointment of the Padres’ 2024 season, which saw the team fail to qualify for the playoffs despite high expectations. However, he expressed optimism about the team’s future, citing the strong foundation built by General Manager A.J. Preller and the rest of the front office.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made as an organization, and we’re excited about the future,” Greupner said. “We know that last season was disappointing, but we’re not dwelling on that. We’re focused on making the necessary adjustments to get back to where we want to be.”
One of the key areas of focus for the Padres this offseason has been the starting rotation. Greupner acknowledged that the team has been active in pursuing top free agent pitchers, but declined to comment on specific targets or negotiations.
“We’re always looking to improve our pitching staff, and we’ve been active in the market,” Greupner said. “We’re confident that we’ll be able to add some quality arms to our rotation, but we’re not going to comment on specific players or deals at this time.”
Greupner also addressed the status of several key players, including star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and outfielder Juan Soto. He expressed confidence that both players would be back with the team in 2025, despite rumors of potential trades or free agency.
“Fernando and Juan are both key players for us, and we’re excited to have them back in 2025,” Greupner said. “We’re confident that they’ll both be important contributors to our success next season.”
In terms of the team’s overall payroll, Greupner indicated that the Padres are willing to spend to compete with the top teams in the National League. However, he also emphasized the importance of being responsible and sustainable in terms of the team’s financial commitments.
“We’re committed to putting a competitive team on the field, and we’re willing to spend to make that happen,” Greupner said. “However, we also have to be responsible and sustainable in terms of our financial commitments. We’re not going to sacrifice our long-term future for short-term gains.”
Overall, Greupner’s comments provided a sense of optimism and excitement about the Padres’ future. While the team faces several challenges and uncertainties this offseason, Greupner expressed confidence that the Padres will be able to build a competitive roster and make a deep run in the playoffs in 2025.
“We’re excited about the future of this team, and we’re confident that we’ll be able to build a competitive roster,” Greupner said. “We’re looking forward to getting started and seeing what the season holds.”