BREAKING (Updated 1 PM 2/9):

James Shields and the San Diego Padres have agreed to terms on a 4-year, $75 million contract with a fifth year option, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman adds that the $75 million figure includes a buyout on that option, which is valued at $16 million, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation. Cotillo was first to report in the overnight hours that the Padres and Shields had a contract in place and said that the deal was likely worth between $72 million and $78 million (Twitter links). Heyman confirmed that a deal was in place early Monday, but couldn’t offer any additional information until mid-morning. Cotillo reports that the deal is just pending a physical.

If Heyman’s report is correct, Shields’ $18.75 million average annual salary will be the 17th highest ever for a starting pitcher, just behind Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright ($19.5M), according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Comparing Shields’ deal to the contracts signed by the top two free agent starters this offseason, Shields appears in line to receive roughly half of Jon Lester’s $155 million contract (Cubs) and one third of Max Scherzer’s $210 million contract (Nationals).

Shields, who spent the last two seasons with the Kansas City Royals, has averaged 223 innings pitched over the last eight seasons, recently posting a 14-8 record in 2014. The 33-year-old has collected 13 or more wins for five consecutive years.

More to come.

PREVIOUS UPDATES:

• 2/8 10:07 PM: Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi reports that the Padres’ most recent offer to Shields was for between $72 and $80 million over four years. Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that this offer made by San Diego is their best and final offer, so it appears that other teams still remain in the mix for Shields at this time or he would already have signed. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Cubs are seen as a major outside threat to sign Shields early on Sunday, and an earlier report from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro said the Marlins have “remained aggressive to the end.” At this time, it does not appear that the Cardinals are one of the final teams Shields is considering. Read the latest on Shields from MLB Trade Rumors.
• 2/8 11:35 AM: Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports that it would be a big upset if the San Diego Padres don’t end up signing James Shields. Passan added that multiple General Managers who inquired on Shields believe the right-hander will end up in San Diego.
• 2/8 11:30 AM: Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union Tribune reported Sunday morning that it “sounds like James Shields’ decision could now come either today (Sunday) or Monday.” Lin also heard that the San Diego Padres, who are now considered the favorites to sign Shields, made their final offer on Saturday. He added that he’d be surprised if another team came and stole him away from the Padres…. However, it still appears that other teams are involved in Shields, or he would have already signed with San Diego. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Sunday morning that the Chicago Cubs are considered a major outside threat to sign Shields as it appears he is coming toward a resolution with the Padres…On Saturday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reported that the Marlins “have remained aggressive to the end.”…At this time it does not look like the Cardinals have much of a shot at signing Shields, even if they are still interested. Read the latest on Shields from MLB Trade Rumors.
• 2/5: The latest on the Cardinals potentially signing Shields, from Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Within the past few weeks I have been told by a few people the Cardinals are not a team with interest. Point blank. The Cardinals, however, don’t comment publicly on rumors or reports at this time of year. It’s worth noting that the draft pick cost wouldn’t be the reason the Cardinals didn’t pursue a pitcher like Shields who received a qualifying offer.

That said, this much is true and important: Signing Shields would take a big bite out of any team’s draft bonus purse.

• 2/5: Reports from Thursday: Dodgers are interested in international stars and not Shields…Marlins unlikely to sign Shields…READ MORE: MLB Trade Rumors
• 2/4: Shields agent has indicated to some clubs that Shields is “getting close to resolution,” according to ESPN’s Buster Olney…the Marlins “remain in talks” involving Shields, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro…Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Cardinals prefer to plug Carlos Martinez into the rotation rather than signing Shields…more reports: Royals haven’t discussed Shields in some time, Yankeees are “not on Shields,” Red Sox don’t have offer out to Shields…READ MORE: MLB Trade Rumors

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ORIGINAL STORY: Despite collecting 13 or more wins for the fifth consecutive year while posting a 3.21 ERA over 227 innings in 2014, free agent starting pitcher James Shields remains unsigned with pitchers and catchers set to report to Spring Training in just a few weeks. But the last remain high-profile arm is close to finding a home, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, who reports that Shields has multiple offers on the table and is expected to sign by the end of this week.

After it was initially believed Shields would find a contract for around five years and $100 million, teams have continued to pass on the 33-year-old right-hander, who struggled in this past postseason. The Rangers and Diamondbacks have said that they’ve halted their pursuit of Shields, however many teams have popped up in reports on potential landing spots for Shields over the last few days, including the Red Sox, Padres, Yankees, Blue Jays, and, yes, the Cardinals.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Tuesday afternoon that the Cardinals “have shown interest” in the former All-Star, marking the first time the Cardinals have actually been tied to Shields in a more than speculative prediction. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported back in January that the Cardinals had “indicated a willingness to discuss” a contract in the $120 million range with Jon Lester, who ended up signing a six-year, $155 million deal with the division-rival Cubs. Although the Cardinals “missed out” on top free agent starter Max Scherzer as well as Lester, reports throughout the offseason indicated that the team at least did their due diligence on potentially signing the star pitchers.

Shields, who spent the last two seasons with the Kansas City Royals, has pitched 200 or more innings in eight consecutive seasons, recently posting a 14-8 record in 2014. His postseason struggles have been well documented, though, as Shields struggled to a 6.12 ERA during the Royals playoff run last October.

Recent reports from around baseball have indicated that Shields will likely settle for a four-year deal in the $70-80 million range, and we’ll just have to wait and see whether the Cardinals front office will make a move after emphasizing throughout the offseason that the team was confident in its rotation depth. Adam Wainwright is coming off a surgery to trim cartilage from his elbow, Michael Wacha dealt with a stress reaction in his right shoulder, John Lackey is entering his free-agent year, Carlos Martinez is an unproven starter, and Jaime Garcia can’t be counted on, so their are certainly no shortage of question marks. If the right pieces fall into place, the Cardinals would be fine without Shields, but that’s a big if. All we can do is speculate on whether the Cardinals are one of the teams Shields is considering, but if Morosi’s report is correct, we should have our answer soon enough.

 

Feature image used under Creative Commons from Keith Allison. No changes made. Image License.