Jan 20, 2008 1:34 AM EST

According to reports in the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune, the Rays are working to sign right-hander James Shields to a long-term deal.

The news comes a day after the Rays avoided arbitration with star players Carlos Pena and Scott Kazmir by signing Pena to a three-year $24.125 million contract and Kazmir to a one-year, $3.785 million contract.

Via MLB.com