In response to Shields’ struggles, Preller made a brilliant if somewhat fortunate, response. He got teenager Fernando Tatis Jr. in the trade that sent Shields and $31 million to the White Sox, just 16 months after Shields first pulled on a Padres cap.

Right-hander Nick Pivetta and the San Diego Padres finalized a four-year, $55 million contract, a backloaded deal that allows him to opt out after the 2026 and ’27 seasons. Pivetta gets a $3 million signing bonus and salaries of $1 million this year,

PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 17: Nick Pivetta #27 of the San Diego Padres works out on the field during the spring training workout at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 17, 2025 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)