Padres Lose Longtime Top Executive to Rival Dodgers

The San Diego Padres are losing one of their most influential executives to their biggest National League West rival.

Caroline Perry, who has served as San Diego's chief operating officer since January 2023, is leaving the organization after 16 seasons to become executive vice president and COO of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers announced the hiring Monday, with Perry scheduled to assume her new responsibilities Nov. 30.

Her departure represents a significant change in San Diego's leadership structure at a time when the franchise is preparing for another important offseason under new ownership.

Perry joined the Padres in April 2011 as associate general counsel and steadily climbed the organization's executive ranks.

She became the highest-ranking female employee in franchise history upon her promotion to COO and is one of only three women holding that position in Major League Baseball.

Her responsibilities extended across the organization.

Perry oversaw ballpark operations, business strategy and analytics, legal affairs, finance, government affairs and information technology.

She also played important roles in the renovation of Gallagher Square, negotiations surrounding San Diego's hosting of the 2016 All-Star Game and the management of Petco Park.

A San Diego native, Perry will now bring that experience to a Dodgers organization that has established itself as one of baseball's most successful franchises.

While Perry's departure creates a leadership vacancy, the Padres have already announced an internal promotion to redistribute some of her responsibilities.

Chris Connolly, previously the team's chief marketing officer, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief marketing and operations officer.

Connolly will continue overseeing marketing, broadcasting, advertising and fan engagement while adding responsibility for ballpark operations.

His promotion comes after San Diego established franchise attendance records in three of the past four seasons.

The transition arrives as the Padres face several important decisions involving their roster and long-term direction.

San Diego is preparing for an uncertain offseason, with significant questions surrounding its starting rotation and bullpen.

The organization also faces expectations to remain competitive following a 2026 season that included 91 victories and another postseason appearance.

Those expectations were highlighted when San Diego was ranked among the leading candidates to end a lengthy World Series drought.

Perry's departure won't directly affect roster construction, but it removes an experienced executive who helped guide the franchise through substantial growth.

For the Padres, the challenge now is maintaining that momentum while one of their longtime leaders joins their fiercest division rival.