The 2015 Padres media guide was an instant collectible, one that captured the zeitgeist, though the zeitgeist was an immediately regrettable spending spree. The perpetually small market Padres added so many pieces to their core following the 2014 season that they literally could not fit them all on a cover that featured EIGHT players. In between Kennedy and Ross stood James Shields, whom the Padres had just signed to a four-year, $75 million contract. The final cost of the off-season overhaul: At least $150 million in new financial commitments (the Padres picked up $75 million of the $107 million remaining on Kemp’s deal) and 18 players. What could end up worse than spending $75 million on James Shields, acquiring Matt Kemp while giving up Yasmani Grandal and taking on $75 million in salary or trading Trea Turner for Wil Myers?

Source: Forbes January 31, 2019 23:26 UTC