SAN DIEGO -- The weeks leading up to Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline were busy for Padres general manager A.J. Preller. The offseason will be busier.
San Diego was linked with a handful of the biggest names on the market over the past month, most notably right-hander Chris Archer, who landed in Pittsburgh in the final hour before the Deadline.
That wasn't an anomaly. Speaking after the Deadline, Preller seemed to indicated that he views the Padres as active players for the biggest names available. They own the sport's best farm system, and -- although they're not eager to part with their best young talent -- if the right deal (or deals) arise, Preller won't hesitate to add big league-ready players.