Angels sign Shields for $3.4 million

Reliever Scot Shields avoided arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday by agreeing to a $3.4 million contract.

The 31-year-old right-hander who has been the primary setup man to closer Francisco Rodriguez the past two years was 7-7 with a 2.87 ERA and two saves in 74 games with the Angels last season, when he earned $2.1 million.

Shields, a 38th-round selection in the 1997 free-agent draft, made his big-league debut with the Angels in 2001. He has an overall record of 35-29 with a 2.81 ERA with 14 saves in 293 games. He has given up 410 hits in 493 innings while walking 167 and striking out 439.

Rodriguez, who had 47 saves last season, and infielder Robb Quinlan, who hit .321 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games, were set to exchange proposed arbitration figures with the Angels later Tuesday.