A.J. Preller's unprecedented deadline push gives Padres a chance

Sez Me …

On his way to this destination — A.J. Preller’s Last Stand — the Padres’ president of baseball operations has traveled Highway Not Quite Good Enough to where he now finds himself: the exit to the community of Maybe Still Not Good Enough.

Now, if only he can avoid the outcome of the first and more historic Last Stand and win a decade-long battle that has been both expensive and futile.

I say A.J. has reached the Last Chance Saloon because he has failed to produce a champion despite an incredible amount of work. Because his real champion, the late and remarkably loyal owner Peter Seidler, no longer can carry his colors. Because I have to figure the Seiders who are now managing the cash register can’t have Peter’s patience (who can?) and sooner or later have to point to the no-re