James Shields will play at home in San Diego.
The Padres have reached an agreement with the pitcher for a four-year contract, CBS Sports reports.
The deal is said to be worth $75 million but also includes incentives and an option for a fifth year. Shields is 33 and coming off a strong season. He finished with a record of 14-8 and an ERA of 3.21 over 227 innings. He has pitched 200 innings or more over the last eight seasons.
Shields, who lives in San Diego, couldn’t turn down the opportunity to pitch at home.
The Padres have made several moves before the start of the 2015 season. The team has added Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Derek Norris, Will Meyers and traded for third baseman Will Middlebrooks.
The pitching rotation is set to have Shields, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy. The No. 5 spot in the rotation is still open.
These moves all but assure the Padres will be NL contenders this year. San Diego’s new GM A.J. Preller is new to the position, but has been making moves like a seasoned veteran.
Despite finishing 77-85 last season, the Padres had a solid record at home last year finishing 48-33. Add that to their new acquisitions and they will field a dangerous team come April.