The saga looks to finally be over as James Shields is being reported to have signed with a team, and the winning club is the San Diego Padres. Well it really wasn’t that much drama, but trying to figure out who would sign the nine-year vet was a bit tricky.
Reports have it that the Padres were not looking to add any starting pitchers this off season, but with Shields still on the market and spring training about to start in two weeks, they couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to add such a durable arm to their rotation.
So the deal is reported to be worth between $72-76 million for four years with an option for a fifth year.
In 2014, Shields pitched for the Kansas City Royals and helped lead them to an American League crown and a visit to the World Series, which they would lose in seven games to the San Francisco Giants. On the mound the 33-year old right hander was 14-8, with a 3.21 ERA and in his nine year pitching career he is 114-90, with a 3.72 ERA.
Shields would become the ace of the staff and with a revamped lineup, the Padres may have made enough moves this off season to find themselves back in the post season.
So does the signing of Shields make the Padres stronger and guaranteed contenders? Time will tell.
(Photo courtesy of MLB.com)
David Conde
David is the Founder and Co-Owner of Legends On Deck and Co-Host of the Legends On Deck Podcast. A lifelong sports fan with a special passion for the New York Mets and New York Knicks, David has spent more than a decade covering the sports he loves. From 2010 to 2014, he served as a Senior Editor for MetsMerized Online and Mets Minors, and in June 2014 fulfilled a lifelong dream by covering the New York Mets at Citi Field as a credentialed writer. As Legends On Deck has expanded beyond baseball, David has enjoyed diving into more sports, learning along the way and sharing those stories with readers and listeners. Married for over 27 years and the proud father of two adult sons, he continues to connect with sports fans through Legends On Deck, the podcast and social media.
