Latest news with #Preller
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Padres' 18-Year-Old Prospect Is Turning Heads at a National Level
San Diego Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller has built his team into a World Series contender in recent years. And although the Padres' farm system ranked 25th in the MLB in March, that's mostly because Preller has flipped a lot of his prospects for win-now veterans. Advertisement Yes, the ability to identify young talent will always be paramount in a sport like baseball. Preller and his staff have shown that they can do that, and their current No. 1 prospect is living up to the hype so far in 2025. San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller (right) and manager Mike Shildt (left) chat before Opening Day at Petco Poroy-Imagn Images During a leaguewide article on April 30, MLB Pipeline writers Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo highlighted the "hottest hitting prospect" from each MLB organization. Their Padres choice was easy, as they selected San Diego's top-rated minor leaguer, shortstop Leo De Vries. "The 18-year-old was the youngest player on a High-A Opening Day roster in 2025, but he sure isn't playing like it," the MLB Pipeline team wrote. Advertisement Continuing: "A five-hit, two-homer cycle on April 22 was his biggest highlight of the season so far for Fort Wayne, but he hasn't stopped there, going 3-for-3 with a homer and a double Tuesday [April 29]. De Vries leads the Midwest League with a .609 slugging percentage over 18 games and ranks second with a .968 OPS, despite being more than four years younger than the average hitter on the circuit." De Vries' national recognition didn't end there, as the MLB's official X account shouted him out for a ridiculous defensive play on May 2. As noted above, De Vries is the No. 1-ranked prospect within the Padres' farm system, but he's also ranked No. 16 for the entire MLB. Advertisement Per his bio, De Vries is a switch-hitter who flaunts an "exquisite knowledge of the [strike] zone." His high expectations aren't anything new, as the native of the Dominican Republic was 2024's "No. 1-ranked talent" on the international market. Related: Long-Time Red Sox Starter Turning Heads With New Team: 'Breakout Ace' Related: Padres Send Direct Message on Struggling $191 Million Veteran
BBC News
27-04-2025
- BBC News
Dr Celiwe gets South Africa talking about financial abuse
A young female South African doctor has sparked a nationwide conversation about a form of domestic abuse often shrouded in silence - financial a series of viral videos Dr Celiwe Ndaba opened up about how she said she had been financially exploited by her husband, how it had spiralled and led to their sitting in her car on her way to work, the mother of three vlogged over two weeks about how despite her successful career she had become trapped in a toxic marriage for years, feeling manipulated to fund her husband's lifestyle - in particular his desire to drive a Mercedes out loans for him to buy such vehicles was the "worst decision" of her life, putting the family under huge financial pressure, said Dr Ndaba - who since sharing her story has reverted to using her maiden name and the number of her followers has pleas for her husband to downgrade, she said he refused - accusing her of wanting to "turn him into a laughing stock by making him drive a small car".The medic said she was speaking out as she wanted to issue a warning to others - that it was not only "uneducated" and "less fortunate" women who find themselves in abusive estranged husband, Temitope Dada, has not responded to a BBC request for the wake of the social media storm, he set up a TikTok account, where in one of his first videos he acknowledged: "You may know me as… 'Mr Benz or nothing.'"The few posts he has made are accompanied by hashtags such as #divorcetrauma - saying the accusations are the comments section on Dr Ndaba's TikTok and other social media platforms have transformed into support groups, filled with female breadwinners sharing eerily similar stories."You are brave to speak out so publicly… I have been suffering in silence," one person Preller, a lawyer based in Cape Town, believes this is because although South African women are becoming doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs, getting well-paid jobs does not necessarily free them from the clutches of the financial independence clashes with "cultural norms that prioritise male authority", he anything, their success appears to make them abuse occurs when one partner dominates or exploits the other's financial resources, the lawyer explains."It is a subtle yet potent tactic of domestic violence, aimed at keeping the victim under control," he South Africa, this is legally classified as economic abuse under the Domestic Violence Preller says things like "unjustly withholding money for essentials or interfering with shared assets," are covered by the act. A university lecturer, who requested anonymity, told the BBC how her husband had lied about his qualifications and eventually left her in financial started with her car that he mostly drove but never refuelled. Then loans she took out for his multiple failed business ventures. Finally, there came an eviction notice as she said he had stopped contributing towards rent, leaving her to shoulder all the expenses for their family, which included three this, they stayed together for close to a decade - even though he was also physically abusive."He's very smart... I was in love with his smartness, his big dreams. But he couldn't follow them up with actions. His pride was his downfall," she when he managed to get some money, he still did not contribute."He started withholding whatever money he had for himself. He'd go out drinking with his friends, come back - the salary is gone," she financial expert Somila Gogoba says that beyond the control of money, financial abuse often has deep psychological roots."For the abuser, this behaviour may stem from feelings of inadequacy, fear of abandonment, or the need for dominance," she told the BBC."For the victim, the psychological impact includes feelings of worthlessness, fear, and dependence, which can be paralysing."Research from the University of South Africa suggests these are not isolated cases – and that women who out-earn their partners face significantly higher risks of intimate partner of their in-depth study of 10 women who were the primary breadwinners of their families, only two were married."For eight of the participants, their choice of being single resulted from their experiences of physical, emotional and sexual violence… All the women said they believed that their role as female breadwinners was viewed as threatening to the traditional male role of a provider," said researcher Bianca Parry. Ms Gogoba says female breadwinners are less valued than their male counterparts, despite their economic contributions: "This cultural backdrop can encourage some partners to feel entitled to control the finances, even when they do not contribute equally."This control is not just about money - it is also about power and maintaining a grip on the relationship dynamics."Nombulelo Shange, sociologist lecturer at the University of the Free State, says it is part of a growing pattern in South Africa of middle-class women being financially exploited."Black women face a double patriarchy: Western expectations at work, traditional expectations at home. When these collide, harmful ideologies escalate," she told the explained that balancing the pressures of being a successful woman, but playing the role of "the caregiver, the mother, the good wife, the good neighbour and community member who goes to church every Sunday", was difficult as women were always taught to tiptoe around men's Dr Ndaba's revelations, women on social media have shared stories of giving their male partners their debit or credit cards when they go out to eat so it appears as though he is paying for the Ms Shange this shows how the burden of a happy home is often placed on the woman's shoulders."You think: 'If I just get them a car, they'll be happy.' Love makes you blind. When your person struggles, you struggle too - you want to fix it," she the time the university lecturer divorced her husband, she was left with debts of 140,000 rand ($7,500; £5,600) - all racked up in her name."Before, I could plan things like holidays. Now they are a luxury," she Ndaba has been at pains to tell her followers, as she did on one vlog: "Finance is an important aspect of people's marriages."The lecturer could not agree more, urging young women to take their time when getting to know their partners and have open, honest conversations."Talk about the finances, talk about your background, talk about emotions and character."Ms Gogoba urged more people to protect themselves from their partner, telling them to keep a separate bank account, keep their pins secure and monitor their credit all agreed that women should understand that love should not come with an unsustainable price tag. You may also be interested in: Oscar Pistorius release: A reminder of South Africa's femicide problemWill I be next? South Africa women askDo men hold the key to fighting rape in South Africa? Published 30 September 2011 Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
New York Times
14-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Padres, A.J. Preller continue to be ‘creative' while dispelling notions of a retreat
PEORIA, Ariz. — A.J. Preller stood on the back patio of the Peoria Sports Complex, clad in a plain brown hoodie and baggy sweatpants. Thursday had brought his 3,844th day as general manager of the San Diego Padres. Some things hadn't changed, even after the pending appointment of a fourth control person during Preller's more-than-decade-long tenure. Advertisement 'How we've gone about things over the last season and really this offseason in terms of my responsibilities, the communication, talking about our team, our roster, the possibilities that are out there, there's been no real differences,' Preller said. 'The biggest thing is we've always had people that want to win and want to go win a World Series and do it for the fans of San Diego. It's what I enjoy working for, and I don't see any changes there.' Yes, the financial guidelines have changed since Peter Seidler, the beloved owner and Preller's biggest supporter, died in November 2023. But Preller's style hasn't. He still favors comfort over fashion. And he isn't the type to willingly retreat. Thursday also brought the Padres' fifth major-league addition in the past two weeks. The projected roster now looks more complete than it did not so long ago, when people around the sport named San Diego as the least-improved team of the offseason. The estimated payroll stands at $207 million, with Nick Pivetta, Elias Díaz, Connor Joe, Jason Heyward and Kyle Hart collectively accounting for only $7 million of that total — and contributing to the apparent likelihood that top starter and trade candidate Dylan Cease remains with the club into Opening Day. 'He's a wizard,' Padres manager Mike Shildt said of Preller. 'I told him that this morning. This guy's got a magic wand. … This guy is working within the parameters he's been given. And I know he doesn't sleep much anyway, but he's always looking to figure out a way to use the resources that are available to him (in) the most effective and efficient way possible. And he's clearly been creative.' Preller did it last season, cutting close to $100 million in payroll before trading for Cease in March and acquiring batting champion Luis Arraez in May (and getting the Miami Marlins to pay almost all of Arraez's 2024 salary). He did it again last month, getting potential No. 2 starter Michael King to agree to a relatively unprecedented deal to avoid arbitration. Preller's efficiency can be debated — the Padres, while kicking the can down the road on sizable financial commitments, are near the second luxury-tax threshold — but it's hard to deny that he has effectively kept his team relevant amid blockbuster offseasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers and other National League West opponents. Barring another club meeting Preller's lofty asking prices, the Padres plan to open the season with a starting rotation led by Cease, King, Yu Darvish and Pivetta, whose four-year deal is pending a physical. Hart, who starred in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2024, will compete with the likes of Randy Vásquez, Matt Waldron and Jhony Brito for the fifth spot — a marked improvement over the Padres' lack of depth entering February. Advertisement 'I think we're always a team that, with any player, you've always got to listen. A lot of teams this offseason have interest in a lot of our players,' Preller said. 'But from our standpoint, to have a guy like Dylan that's one of the best pitchers in the league … that's a very big part of our club. And I think the additions (of Pivetta and Hart) the last couple days is to supplement what's a really good rotation. I think that's our focus here going forward, is having that strong rotation.' Closer Robert Suarez, due $10 million in his final season before potential free agency, remains a prime trade candidate, but team and league sources have indicated that it would take a significant return for Preller to move Arraez, King or second baseman Jake Cronenworth. So, the 2025 Padres should largely look like the team that surprised on its way to the 2024 National League Division Series. Of course, the losses of Jurickson Profar, Tanner Scott, Ha-Seong Kim, Kyle Higashioka and Donovan Solano necessitate the ongoing pursuit of more depth; Preller said he still was considering big-league and non-roster additions to the pitching staff and San Diego's collection of position players. The Padres also could use the type of fortune they experienced after signing Profar to a $1 million guarantee and watching him emerge, at age 31, as a first-time All-Star. 'We're going to have to have a couple surprises,' Preller said. Yet, Preller did not speak Thursday like a man who expects a historically loaded Dodgers club to steamroll its nearest National League competition. He portrayed his recent acquisitions as value plays while touting the overall talent of his roster. 'It's never a reaction to what one team does or another team does. We have to do what's best for us,' Preller said. 'But you also know the bar's set very high. You're not going to sneak in with 87 wins in the NL West. That's not the way it is. The leader or teams that can win a division title, they're usually teams that are in the upper 90s or 100 wins. That's what it takes to win the division. And I think for us, that's where it starts with. Like, can we go win an NL West title? It's one thing we haven't done here over the last five years, and then (if) you do that, can we go get to a World Series and win a World Series?' Advertisement Beyond 2025, the upcoming years could bring challenges to simply getting out of the regular season. The Padres and their aging core already have more than $160 million in payroll committed for 2026, with only 10 players under contract. Preller, in the penultimate year of the extension that Seidler awarded him in 2021, theoretically has limited incentive to preserve the remaining depth in his farm system; signing Pivetta, who declined a qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox, will cost the Padres a second-round draft pick and $500,000 in international bonus space. But the sport's most tireless general manager has wriggled out of tight spots before, including in 2024. Now his mandate is to do it again. Toward that end, Preller's latest addition sounded like a natural fit. 'I think it's time to go win the NL West outright,' said Hart, who partly attributed his KBO success to a new sweeper and a lower arm slot. 'I mean, it's been almost 20 years now since we've won this division, and (the Padres had) a lot of great teams in the last five years. I mean, really, really good teams. And I'm just happy to be here, to be able to help. I feel like that's another reason that I chose this organization, is I think we're ready to win, we're going to keep winning, and I'm a better pitcher when I'm on a team that's winning.'
