James Shields saw his value on the free agent market dip so low towards the end of his free agency that clubs were calling with three-year offers to see how cheap they might be able to get the right-hander.

Shields agreed to a four-year, $75 million deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Shields and his agent, Page Odle, were looking for a deal in the neighborhood of what Jon Lester received from the Chicago Cubs -- $120 million over six years.