Bob Nightengale talks about the Padres' chances

My notes from Bob Nightengale's interview today on the status of the Padres

Bob Nightengale interviewed by the Loose Cannons (MP3)

• Preller wants to win right now.  The moves he's made have certainly made the team a contender for this year and he's kept the payroll the same to boot.
• James Shields wants to come to San Diego.  Nightengale thinks he'd be an outstanding pick up.  Getting him signed to a 3 year deal with a 4th as an option would be a steal.  He'll throw 200 innings a year.  If he comes to San Diego it'll make the Padres and Dodgers the favorites in the NL West.

  The #Padres, where James Shields makes his home, have to be considered favorites for his services. We will soon find out if they get him.

  — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 6, 2015

• If the Padres are contenders this year it'll be a whole lot easier to recruit players.  Players want to play for a winner.
• Wil Myers has a chance to be very good but maybe not to the level that some people think.  He's a good player, maybe not a superstar.  Justin Upton is one of the top 10 players in the NL.  He'll hit 30 HRs and 90 RBI. 
  
• Cole Hamels would love to pitch for a contender.  He would love to come back home.  It would cost the Padres their top 3 prospects.  "Sometimes these prospects are just prospects."  It may hurt a bit but Hamels is one of the top starters in baseball.
• Nightengale would rather give up prospects than deal Andrew Cashner for Hamels.  "I think he's one of those special pitchers."  Cashner has so much promise he could win games in the playoffs or the World Series.  Combine him with a Hamels or Shields then they can stack up with the Dodgers' rotation.
• The Dodgers don't look as strong on paper.  They'll need clubhouse chemistry.  If they need pieces though they can get them, because they have money from the new TV deal.  Nightengale thinks Matt Kemp is going to torment the Dodgers, make them pay for trading for him.
• Nightengale thinks the Giants will fall off again this year.  They'll have a big drop off.
• The Padres have a chance to contend as they stand.