James Shields introduced by Padres, receives royal welcome

If James Shields wasn’t feeling at home already after signing a four-year, $75 million contract with the San Diego Padres — which we’ve now learned includes a fifth year option worth $16 million — he certainly was after arriving at Petco Park on Wednesday.

Prior to his introductory press conference with general manager A.J. Preller and manager Bud Black, Shields, who grew up in nearby Newhall, CA., and his family were received like royalty as San Diego’s front office staff lined the hall leading to the Padres clubhouse.

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That’s not an acknowledgment or jab at his most recent employer, the Kansas City Royals. That’s just the best description of his first official day as a Padre.

Key additions like Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers have already made that walk this winter, though apparently without the same fanfare. It’s not as if any of those players were any less welcomed or will be any less accepted though. It’s just that Shields was viewed as one of the biggest prizes in free agency this season, and for a team that had never invested more than $15.5 on a given free agent, he’s essentially the face of a new era. The A.J. Preller era, as it were, which means the Padres will be aggressive now and ask questions later. 

Of course, this is an approach that doesn’t come without risks. If it backfires, it can set a franchise back for several years. Especially one that’s not traditionally among the league’s biggest spenders. But it’s also a strategy that will often catch the eye of free agents and lure them in your direction, thus making it easy to complete the desired puzzle. Such was clearly a factor in Shields choosing San Diego. 

“At the beginning of the offseason, I’m watching the moves [Padres executive vice president/general manager A.J. Preller] was making, and it’s incredible the change and the willingness to win,” Shields said.

“It’s the fact that this organization is ready to win now, and that’s what attracted me to the San Diego Padres.”

The excitement surrounding the Shields’ signing is palpable. He’s rightfully viewed as the piece that could cement San Diego as postseason contenders. It’s a feeling that’s shared by the fans, team employees, and yes, Padres players as well. In fact, Wil Myers, who was famously traded for Shields in the 2012 blockbuster involving the Royals and Tampa Bay Rays, was already on record expressing hope that Shields would sign. Now that he has, Myers is gleefully declaring San Diego the winner of a trade they were never involved in. 

Probably safe to say Padres are the final winner in the Shields trade. Should be an exciting year in San Diego!

— Wil Myers (@wilmyers) February 11, 2015

That’s how you know a general manager is doing some serious work.

Signing Shields establishes that A.J. Preller has set his sights high, is willing to be creative, and is capable of delivering talent. Of course, if Shields falls apart, he’ll also be Preller’s first major mistake, which can send things spiraling the other way. That’s why all eyes are on Shields, and for now anyway, why the new found optimism rides on his shoulders. 

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813