The legal battle between members of the Seidler family continues. Padres players and fans can only hope that John Seidler takes the reins with at least a shred of similar commitment that Peter Seidler lived by.

On the night of Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the San Diego Padres were on top of the baseball world. Game 3 of the National League Division Series just concluded.

Robert Suarez struck out Gavin Lux on a 101-mile-per-hour fastball to seal a 6-5 victory. All 47,744 of the Friar Faithful let out a euphoric roar over Petco Park, sending San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter into a frenzy. Needing one more victory to eliminate their most hated rival for the second time in three years, it was the Padres’ series to win.

Until it wasn’t.

San Diego would ultimately not score a single run over the last 24 innings of the NLDS. This led to a gut-wrenching, dagger-twisting series defeat by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who would eventually win the World Series. The Friars’ best chance at a World Series title came and went in the blink of an eye.

Four months later, the sting has only worsened.

With a lawsuit filed by a bickering ownership group and a eerily quiet offseason, fans, players, and front office members have had a winter to forget.

On Thursday, Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the appointment of John Seidler as the Padres’ new control person. The approval comes at a time when disgruntled fans and media members have many questions about the newest regime of team ownership.

John Seidler, brother of late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler, was unanimously approved by MLB owners this morning as the Padres’ new control person.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 6, 2025

Vast criticism coming from fans and national media members brought the Seidler family’s intentions into question. Sheel Seidler’s lawsuit against her brothers-in-law alleges that they do not intend on carrying out her late husband’s legacy and vision for the organization.

Payroll Constraints

Under Peter Seidler, it was clear that he would do everything in his power to ensure the Padres were World Series contenders.

He opened his checkbook to keep players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Joe Musgrove, and Yu Darvish in San Diego for the long haul. After the deep playoff run in 2022, he added Xander Bogaerts to the list of long-term commitments. It was safe to say winning at any cost was the priority.

When the offseason commenced, it was reported that Padres’ ownership was not willing to exceed the $241 million luxury-tax threshold for the 2025 season. Something that, throughout his ownership, Peter Seidler had no problem doing. Rumors swirled all winter that some of the team’s key contributors from last year’s 93-win season are being discussed in trade talks. Starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King, infielder Luis Arraez, and reliever Robert Suarez are among those players.

They also let almost all free agent-eligible players from 2024 go as well. Most notably, Jurickson Profar, an integral part of the team’s identity, signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. Tanner Scott, Ha-Seong Kim, Kyle Higashioka, and Donovan Solano signed elsewhere.

“That’s tough..”

Manny Machado on Jurickson Profar leaving in free agency #Padres pic.twitter.com/dmzQIYgsZR

— San Diego Sports 760 (@Sports760) February 1, 2025

Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported, “Similar restraint is expected to continue under John Seidler, at least in the short term.” As it stands, the Padres’ current tax payroll is $236 million, according to Spotrac. In order to stay under the $241 million line, A.J. Preller will likely need to make difficult decisions to address dire needs for the 2025 season. Although, a significant return for any trade candidate may soften the blow.

Impact on Organizational Culture

Considering John Seidler has yet to speak publicly in regard to becoming Padres control person, concern shown on behalf of players was alarming.

At Padres Fanfest, Manny Machado spoke on his relationship with the Seidler family. When Machado first signed with the Padres in February 2019, he discussed the plan and vision of the organization with Peter Seidler. The goal brought up in those conversations was to bring multiple world titles to the city of San Diego. The Padres sold Machado on the vision and offered up the largest contract in the history of North American sports at the time.

The ownership flux has put the direction of the franchise in uncertain territory.

In-fighting in the upper levels of management is most definitely not an appealing sight for pending free agents. On January 18, Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki announced he was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sasaki, 23, had been highly sought after by Padres brass throughout the offseason. A.J. Preller’s history with Sasaki goes back about six years to when San Diego officials began scouting him. Regardless of the controversy surrounding the integrity of Sasaki’s choosing of Los Angeles, organizational dysfunction will hold back a franchise from perhaps signing star players moving forward.

“Are we disappointed that we haven’t made any moves? Yeah…”

Manny Machado on losing out on Roki Sasaki and a quiet off-season #Padres pic.twitter.com/hQnJFXbapT

— San Diego Sports 760 (@Sports760) February 1, 2025

During an interview with the media, Profar cited the Padres’ ownership power struggle as an obstacle that ultimately led him to not re-sign with the club. Listen to his comments at 10:34 below:

.@JURICKSONPROFAR‘s first press conference as a member of the Braves, in its entirety: pic.twitter.com/Ep5Gaovbwd

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) January 24, 2025

Media members have also shared their opinions on what the new regime’s lack of spending and in-fighting could have in store for the franchise. Speaking to Danny Vietti of CBS Sports on the topic, he said the following:

“I think whenever Jurickson Profar speaks, Padre fans listen. He was the heart and soul of this club. And when he makes comments about Padres ownership having “issues,” that speaks volumes to fans, clubs, and free agents. I am a big believer in the idea that culture starts at the top and trickles down. Right now, indications are the culture up top is holding this team back.”

Executing Peter’s Vision

Players and fans alike want what Peter wanted. A parade. Peter Seidler spent freely. Sometimes with little to no regard. But that’s what made him unique. An owner in a smaller market playing monopoly with Steve Cohen, Hal Steinbrenner, Mark Walter, etc. It’s understandable if the Seidler brothers don’t spend to the extent that he did. The city of San Diego just wants to see an effort. The Friar Faithful wants to see, not just hear, Peter’s legacy will be carried through the franchise.

Under Peter, fans chanted his name at opposing teams’ ballparks. He was personable, approachable, and relatable. Fans were used to him being vocal, transparent, and forthcoming. The fear among the city having lost those qualities in an owner, on top of everything else that has occurred since Game 5 of the NLDS last October.

“Peter” chants breaking out at Chase Field for Peter Seidler as he walks through the crowd #padres pic.twitter.com/JoFfOPurKI

— Allison Edmonds (@aedmondstv) April 21, 2023

At the end of the day, the Padres will field a roster of 26 players on Opening Day versus the Atlanta Braves on March 27. The team still has a great core that needs a viable supporting cast. The truth is John Seidler has massive shoes to fill. It certainly will be interesting to see if he gets anywhere close to filling them.

Armando Dueñas Jr.

Armando Duenas is a 25 year-old journalist. He is a native San Diegan who grew up in the South Bay area. A lifelong Padres fan and baseball enthusiast, he resides just about fifteen minutes from Petco Park, where his love of the game began.