The James Shields deal is official and is the biggest deal in franchise history. Shields will be introduced at a press conference today. After trying to get Cole Hamels (and who knows maybe they still do, you just never know at this point) Shields will be the horse at the top of the rotation for the San Diego Padres.
Some new details emerged per CBS Sports Jon Heyman and Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal. First of all, Shields doesn’t have a no-trade clause. The organization have a policy on that and won’t hand those out. The deal also comes with an option for a fifth year for $16 million with a $2 million buyout. Shields will make $10 million in 2015 then $63 million the next three seasons.
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The way the deal is structured is interesting to me. I think it positions the Padres to make more moves including going after Cuban infielders Yoan Moncada and once cleared, Hector Olivera. Maybe they go after newly defected pitcher Yadier Alvarez who had a workout today.
The Padres had a full 40-man roster so they had to take someone off to get Shields on it. That guy was pitcher Aaron Northcroft.
Northcroft came over with Justin Upton in one of the many big deals that were done this off-season.
Northcroft reached AAA for the first time and in 64.2 innings had a 6.54 ERA. Northcroft could be traded, released or officially taken off the 40-man in the next week to 10 days.
Next: James Shields History Vs The NL West
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