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,

The Padres are signing Nick Pivetta to a heavily backloaded four-year contract. Find out more at MLB Trade Rumors.