Free-agent pitcher James Shields agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday. The deal is pending a physical.
According to the Associated Press, Shields agreed to a four-year, $75 million contract. The deal does have an option for 2019. Shields’ deal is the largest contract in Padres history. Jake Peavey’s three-year, $52 million deal in the 2007-08 offseason was the Padres previous largest contract. As a result of signing Shields the Padres lose their first-round pick in this year’s amateur draft. The Kansas City Royals will get an extra pick after the first round.
Shields was acquired by the Royals in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012. Last year he was 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA, 180 strikeouts, and 44 walks, according to ESPN. In nine seasons with the Rays and Royals Shields is 114-90 with a 3.72 ERA. In the postseason he is 3-6 with a 5.46 ERA. He ranks first among pitchers in innings pitched since 2007 with 1,785 and two thirds innings.
Shields will join Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross, and Ian Kennedy in the Padres rotation. He is the latest addition to the Padres this offseason. Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Will Middlebrooks, Wil Myers, and Derek Norris are the other Padres additions.
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