After about a week of speculation, the San Diego Padres finally got their guy. The Padres agreed to a four-year, $75 million deal with RHP James Shields just under two weeks before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training.
The deal would shatter the franchise's largest contract ever issued, previously belonging to Jake Peavy and the $52 million deal he agreed to in the 2007-08 season.
After a series of moves that brought Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Will Middlebrooks and Derek Norris to Petco Park, it was clear that this small-market team was ready to contend. But after the Shields signing, many around the baseball world (as far as Twitter is concerned, anyway) took notice.
Take a look at some of the reactions:
This essentially means the #Padres go to ST with one rotation opening, No. 5 -- and that's likely Morrow or Despaigne.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) February 9, 2015
AJ Preller is a vampire. Smells blood, and goes for the kill @ night! #countpreller
— Mark Grant (@Mudcat55) February 9, 2015
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WOW. 1. Tyson Ross 2. James Shields 3. Andrew Cashner 4. Ian Kennedy 5. OD Despaigne/Brandon Morrow/Josh Johnson? #Padres
— Connor (@McCartyConnor) February 9, 2015
#Padres World Series odds move from 30/1 to 18/1 at the Westgate Las Vegas following the James Shields acquisition.
— Joe Fortenbaugh (@JoeFortenbaugh) February 9, 2015
Did the @Padres win the powerball?
— Scott Badger (@34badger34) February 9, 2015
Anyone else see the @Padres in a different light now? I'm loving the face lift
— JT Cook (@jtcook16) February 9, 2015
@Padres is this real life?
— Sean (@_iTzShowTime) February 9, 2015
If only Tony Gwynn was around to see the new look @padres #TGforever
— Ripley (@RTRipley) February 9, 2015
The thing I liked about the James Shields signing is that he WANTED to come to the @Padres
— josh (@Josh_Uvero) February 9, 2015
So who won the trade between the #Royals & #Rays involving James Shields for Wil Myers? The San Diego #Padres.
— Dave Pierce (@pittsburghers) February 9, 2015
The last 3 months for the @Padres has been about undoing a lifetime of pain for everyone who watches every year #Sco
— Based Mutombo (@SmeSmillen) February 9, 2015
