Padres Land James Shields

Improbable off-season continues with free agent addition

For years, the Padres would think adding a guy like Aaron Harang or Jon Garland was a "big" free agent signing.

Times, they have a-changed.

On Sunday night, San Diego General Manager A.J. Preller continued the most improbable off-season in San Diego sports history by landing free agent RHP James Shields to a 4-year contract worth between $72 million and $78 million.

In a three-month span, the Padres have re-shaped their roster ... as well as their present and future ... in a way that defies description.

Shields is a work horse who's thrown at least 200 innings for eight straight seasons. Put him in Petco Park, working with Darren Balsley and Bud Black, and he is the kind of front-of-the-rotation ace that makes an entire starting rotation better.

We'll take a look at the rest of the impact this signing has soon. For now, Padres fans, just enjoy the moment.

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