The San Diego Padres have been going all in this offseason with a complete roster overhaul. That latest addition to the roster is free agent pitcher James Shields, the former Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals pitcher. As reported by Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, the Padres signed Shields to a four-year contract that had previously been reported to be between $72 and $80 million.
The Padres had been connected to various rumors involving the Phillies and ace pitcher Cole Hamels, but you have to wonder if that will be silenced now. That would seem to be the obvious take, but that might not be the case just yet. The Padres could still be in the market for Hamels at some point this year. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro had been reported to have interest in Padres starter Andrew Cashner, and the Padres would benefit by exchanging Cashner and a prospect or two to get Hamels into the starting rotation. With Shields and Hamels and possibly revamped offense, the Padres would be a very interesting team to watch in the NL West this season.
Amaro recently suggested the spring may not be the time to see talks involving Hamels (or Jonathan Papelbon) intensify. If that is the case, the Padres will have some time to see if the offseason roster changes will be paying off on the field and decide whether they need to make the move to add one more top-of-the-rotation starter like Hamels. It is also reported the Phillies might be more open to moving Cliff Lee in the spring if Lee is healthy and marketable. Would the Padres be interested in Lee?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
