Rays agreed to terms with RHP Jamie Shields on a four-year contract with three one-year options.
The St. Petersburg Times reports that Shields is guaranteed $11.25 million, the last $2 million in the form of a buyout for the first option year. He'll make $9.25 million over the next four seasons. The options are worth $7 million in 202, $9 million in 2013 and $12 million in 2014. If all of the options are exercised and he meets certain incentives, he could make as much as $44 million. As much protection as the Rays have built in to the deal, it seems like a smart signing. 2007 was likely as good as it's going to get for Shields, but he could be a durable middle-of-the-rotation guy for a long time.
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Good job here locking him up on the cheap side. Now they should have enough money to make Kazmir a long term offer and keep the Kazmir, Shields and Garza trio for a long time.
