A.J. Preller's most expensive purchase this offseason turned out to be one of the league's biggest bargains.
That's the kind of winter it's been for Preller and the San Diego Padres.
The first-year GM capped an unbelievable offseason late Sunday by reportedly signing James Shields to the richest free-agent contract in team history. That it apparently cost nearly $40 million less than what Shields was initially seeking is another reason why Preller's aggressive rebuild has been the highlight of baseball's most entertaining offseason in recent memory.
Preller has added close to $200 million in contracts and traded away a dozen prospects, but his retooling efforts have been anything but reckless.
Observers point to Shields's remarkable durability - he's recorded eight straight 200-inning seasons - as a factor in his inability to fetch a nine-figure contract. None of that dissuaded Preller from pursuing the California native, whose early contract demands were reportedly in the $110-million range.
Though Preller's paying top dollar for Shields's inevitable decline, the Padres are also banking on the friendly confines of Petco Park to slow his aging curve.
Shields, 33, lowered his home run rate in recent years - aided in part by Kauffman Stadium - and should continue benefiting from making half his starts in San Diego.
Preller not only found the perfect compliment to the Padres' deep rotation, he did so at more than half the price of Max Scherzer and Jon Lester. Shields may not possess the upside of his counterparts, but he's thrown more innings and posted a better ERA and WHIP than both pitchers since 2011.
The Padres found similar value in the Matt Kemp trade. Thanks to the Los Angeles Dodgers absorbing more than a quarter of his contract, Kemp will cost San Diego $13 million less than Hanley Ramirez for one extra year. The former oft-injured teammates have been the same offensive player the last three seasons and both carry defensive concerns.
Although Wil Myers cost the Padres prospect Trea Turner, it marked another low-buy acquisition. Myers, 24, is one season removed from winning Rookie of the Year and remains under team control through 2019.
Then there's the one-year rental of Justin Upton, a power hitter in his prime who offers the club in-season trade value or draft pick compensation at the end of the year.
Preller even signed Brandon Morrow for a fraction of the guaranteed $10 million the Dodgers awarded Brett Anderson.
Despite all the activity, San Diego managed to retain three of its most coveted prospects.
To be sure, a lot has to break right this season for the Padres, who share space in the National League West with the Dodgers and world champion San Francisco Giants.
San Diego's outfield is a defensive liability, the left side of its infield is a major concern, and its already working on a franchise-record payroll.
But that's not to say Preller's dramatic overhaul is complete. It would be foolhardy to discount expectations after he's already ransacked the clearance bin for its best items.
