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Rays, Shields Finalize New Deal

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays have taken another step to solidify the core group of players they hope will make them a winning team by signing James Shields to a long-term contract.

The pitcher and his agent, Page Odle, were in town Tuesday to finalize a deal that will include four guaranteed years followed by three option years, potentially keeping Shields in a Rays uniform through at least the 2014 season. The deal will be officially announced at a news conference today at Tropicana Field.

"Jamie's thrilled," Odle said after wrapping up negotiations Tuesday night. "He is excited about what's going on with the organization and the team and that's his reason for wanting to do this. He wants to be a part of it."

It's highly unusual for a player - especially a pitcher - with less than two years of service time to reel in such a long-term contract. The Rays signed outfielders Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli to similar deals a few years back, but pitchers are considered more of a health risk.

The deal has numerous incentive clauses, particularly in the option years, that will help protect the Rays if Shields doesn't live up to expectations or reward the pitcher if he continues on an upward trajectory. If all the options are picked up, Shields would give up his first two years of free-agent eligibility to remain in Tampa Bay.

Shields, who turned 26 in December, went 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 31 starts last season, racking up 215 innings and striking out 184 batters while walking just 36.

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