Major League Baseball has suspended Padres general manager, A.J. Preller, 30 days without pay for withholding medical information in a trade with the Boston Red Sox involving pitcher Drew Pomeranz. The league investigated the handling of the medical reports on Thursday, and now considers the case closed.
The investigators held interviews with Padres' officials, which revealed that the team kept two files of medical information from Boston. One of the files were held for industry consumption, while the other was was for internal use.
The team decided on this strategy in Spring Training, as the front office explained to the trainers that this was to be done to gain leverage in trade talks.
The Pomeranz deal is what caught the attention of the league, but sources say that the likes of the Marlins and White Sox were also unhappy with the strategic deception in medical talks. Only one other team has complained to the commissioner's office.
This is not the first time Preller has gotten himself into trouble in the front office. While with the Rangers in 2010, he was suspended for violating baseball's rules regarding signings. He was hired by the Padres in 2014, and is now facing his second suspension in those two years.
The investigators held interviews with Padres' officials, which revealed that the team kept two files of medical information from Boston. One of the files were held for industry consumption, while the other was was for internal use.
The team decided on this strategy in Spring Training, as the front office explained to the trainers that this was to be done to gain leverage in trade talks.
The Pomeranz deal is what caught the attention of the league, but sources say that the likes of the Marlins and White Sox were also unhappy with the strategic deception in medical talks. Only one other team has complained to the commissioner's office.
This is not the first time Preller has gotten himself into trouble in the front office. While with the Rangers in 2010, he was suspended for violating baseball's rules regarding signings. He was hired by the Padres in 2014, and is now facing his second suspension in those two years.
