Free agent pitcher James Shields has reportedly reached an agreement to sign a four-year deal with the San Diego Padres.
ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports that Padres will pay Shields roughly $75 million over four years with an option for a fifth year. A verbal agreement between the two sides was reached late Sunday night.
Shields, 33, has been one of the most durable pitchers in baseball throughout his career. He has made 30 or more starts and thrown 200 or more innings in each season since 2007. It initially looked like he would command somewhere in the $100 million range, but there obviously wasn’t as much interest as most people anticipated.
Shields had an impressive 14-8 season with a 3.21 ERA in 2014, but he struggled in the playoffs. In five postseason starts with the Kansas City Royals, Shields went 1-2 and compiled a 6.12 ERA. He also gave up four home runs.
Perhaps teams were concerned about Shields having so many innings on his arm. In any event, he should prove to be a solid addition to a Padres team that has acquired Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Will Myers and Will Middlebrooks already this winter.
