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Report: James Shields can opt out of Padres contract after two years

The San Diego Padres and pitcher James Shields finalized a deal this week reportedly worth $75 million over four years.
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The San Diego Padres and pitcher James Shieldsfinalized a deal this week reportedly worth $75 million over four years, but Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Shields can opt out of the deal after two years.

As Rosenthal notes, if Shields were to opt out after two years, he would be forfeiting more than $40 million in potential earnings.

Shields, 33, posted a 3.21 ERA with 180 strikeouts and 44 walks over 227 innings with the Kansas City Royals during the the 2014 regular season.

After helping the team reach the World Series in 2014, Shields rejected the team's one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer.

''We're going to try to bring a championship to San Diego,'' Shields said at an introductory press conference, according to the Associated Press. ''I believe, if I'm not mistaken, it would be the first one ever in San Diego. I'm up for that challenge.''

CORCORAN: Padres wrap up impressive offseason with James Shields signing