The Padres have capped a "remarkable offseason" by reaching a four-year deal with free agent P James Shields that is "expected to be" in the $72-76M range, according to sources cited by Chris Cotillo of SB NATION. The deal, which has a club option for a fifth season and is "currently pending a physical," is the latest example of how GM A.J. Preller President & CEO Mike Dee have "revamped their club." Other high-profile offseason acquisitions include CF Matt Kemp, LF Justin Upton, RF Wil Myers, C Derek Norris and 3B Will Middlebrooks (SBNATION.com, 2/9). In San Diego, Dennis Lin notes the deal would be the "largest the Padres have ever handed out" and is the latest sign the Padres "have boldly announced their intention to reach the postseason." Adding a "frontline starter such as Shields would truly signal an all-in push" for '15. The deal takes the Padres' "projected opening-day payroll" from a little less than $89M to more than $100M (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/9). ESPN's Buster Olney notes Preller and Dee have been "aggressive in moving on and trying to change this team after the attendance really flattened out last year." While last year's Padres "were arguably the most unwatchable team in all of baseball,” the '15 version will be a team "that we’re all going to be paying attention to." Olney: "It's mission accomplished for the Padres in terms of changing the perception of this team and trying to make it a team that could be a playoff contender in this summer” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 2/9).
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: MLB.com's Richard Justice writes the signing of Shields put a "ridiculously good finishing touch on one of the great offseasons any baseball team has had in a long time." Instead of taking some time "to evaluate his new team, Preller made move after move" after being hired in August. He has traded away "enough front-line prospects that there are baseball people who think he could end up regretting some of his decisions." However, those observers "may not understand what he was trying to do." Justice: "His charge was to change a team and a clubhouse and a culture. It was to get Padres fans engaged in a way they may not have been in recent years. That he has done. Every big league fan on the planet is aware of Preller and his amazing offseason" (MLB.com, 2/9). CBSSPORTS.com's David Brown writes optimism "has been a huge part of what Preller was going for" with the roster turnover. The changes "don't necessarily turn the Padres into a World Series winner, but they do give the team a fresh infusion of talent. And hope" (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/9). MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince: "They’ve done what you want them to do. They’ve become an interesting team for their fan base, for the rest of baseball. They’ve made that division more dynamic” (“Hot Stove,” MLB Network, 2/9). SNY’s Adam Schein prior to Shields officially agreeing to the deal said, "It's kind of crazy the Padres have been more active than the New York Yankees this offseason. You go to San Diego to die. You’re never going to be heard of again” (“Loud Mouths,” SNY, 2/6).
