As James Shields continues to mull his offers and make a decision by end of the week, signs keep pointing to the San Diego Padres being the frontrunners for his services. It appears general manager A.J. Preller isn't done making moves after a wildly active offseason.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Padres "have to be considered the favorites for his services."
For a long time the Padres have been considered to be in the mix for Shields, who noted earlier in the offseason that he preferred to pitch on the West Coast because he's from San Diego. Interestingly enough, the Padres are in need of a top-end starter that can eat innings, which happens to be Shields' specialty. San Diego has also been involved in trade talks with the Philadelphia Phillies regarding Cole Hamels, but they'll have to give up considerable young talent while also inheriting at least $100 million of his contract.
On the other hand, Shields is a free agent and is speculated to land a four-year, $70 million to $80 million deal after a number of teams backed off in their pursuit of the right-hander because he wanted five years and at least $100 million. Various executives were concerned with giving Shields that many years and that much money because he just turned 33 and has pitched at least 200 innings in each of the past eight seasons. As a result, it's believed his price tag has dropped since free agency began.
The market for Shields this offseason has been eerily similar to that of Max Scherzer's, who appeared to have no suitors because of his contract demands until late January when he signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Washington Nationals. Many executives are baffled as to how it has taken this long for Shields to sign with a team.
Enter the Padres, who now appear to be his likely landing spot. Preller has been the most active executive this offseason after completing trades for outfielders Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and Justin Upton, relievers Shawn Kelley and Brandon Maurer, catcher Derek Norris and third baseman Will Middlebrooks. The trade talks for Hamels have stalled because of the demands of Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, who wants three top prospects in exchange for the left-hander. It's possible San Diego has moved on from that venture and have begun considering Shields more seriously since they have room in their payroll to make such a move.
"[Team president and CEO Mike Dee], A.J. and I have had numerous conversations regarding payroll for 2015 and beyond," said Padres' executive chairman Ron Fowler, via Corey Brock of MLB.com. "I believe A.J. feels he has sufficient flexibility to make a deal if it is the right fit. I very much respect his discipline in looking at options."
According to Baseball Reference, the Padres' payroll is currently estimated to reach $87.8 million once the 2015 season begins. The team's record payroll is $90.6 million, which was last season when they finished third in the NL West with a 77-85 record. They got considerably better this offseason and are still below that mark.
Will Preller pay for Shields and thrust the Padres further into playoff contention?
Shields finished 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 34 starts with the Kansas City Royals in 2014.
