"Preller drives everyone nuts!" said an AL executive. "He basically kept multiple teams on the hook as he shopped De Vries. He was a buyer, but kind of operated like a seller in terms of auctioning off De Vries to the highest bidder."

By strip-mining San Diego's farm system, Preller made it clear that the Padres are aiming for the World Series again this season.

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller had a trade deadline to remember, and one report shows how uncommon his strategy was.