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Hans Deryk / USA TODAY Sports

2008 - Rays sign James Shields to four-year deal

In an attempt to lock up one of their best young arms, the Tampa Bay Rays agree to a four-year, $11.25-million deal with right-hander James Shields. The contract includes three team options that could push the value to $38 million over seven years.

The 26-year-old is coming off an impressive first full season in the majors, in which he went 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 215 innings. 

"This signing further signifies our commitment to building and sustaining a championship-level team," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in a statement. "We feel like Jamie is the kind of player and person who can help lead us to that goal."

Shields spends five more seasons with the Rays, going 69-57 with a 3.79 ERA in 166 appearances before the team opts to trade him to the Kansas City Royals in a deal that brings back Wil Myers and Jake Odorizzi. 

Birthdays

1974 - Magglio Ordonez
1974 - Jermaine Dye
1975 - Junior Spivey
1977 - Lyle Overbay
1985 - Wesley Wright
1986 - Brandon Guyer
1986 - Nate Jones
1988 - A.J. Griffin

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