San Diego Padres Discussing James Shields Trade with White Sox
By Tj Porreca
Could James Shields potentially be on the move? The Padres are reportedly in talks to send Shields to the Chicago White Sox.
San Diego Padres right hander James Shields is in the second year of a four-year deal he signed with the Padres in February, 2015. Shields was part of a large import of talent for the Padres at the time, but a few of the players brought in, including Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel have already left town. It seems Shields could be the next player on the way out.
Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Padres are in talks with the Chicago White Sox, regarding a potential Shields trade. Lin notes that it is, “unclear if a deal is imminent,” but sources told the Union-Tribune that the talks have “energy,” and “significant momentum.”
The biggest benefit of trading James Shields for the Padres would be to get relief of some, or perhaps all, of his future salary. General manager AJ Preller and company went for it all last season, but the results weren’t what the team expected. The Padres dealt away a great deal of Minor League talent when Preller took over, and seeing as San Diego currently sits in last place in the NL West, it could behoove the team to offload Shields, save some money, and get a few pieces back in return.
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Shields has started 10 games this season, but his 2-6 record is not indicative of how he has pitched. He has thrown 6 innings or more in each of his starts. He has an ERA of 3.06, and a WHIP of 1.299. Trading Shields would be about retooling and offloading his salary. It would be interesting to see how his contract is handled in a trade. He will make $21 million this season, and $21 million in each of the next two seasons — 2017 and 2018 — as well. If the Padres are willing to eat some of that salary, it could entice the White Sox to perhaps include better prospects in a potential trade.
Potentially adding a veteran such as James Shields could be a good move for the White Sox. As of Saturday, the White Sox sit in first place in the AL Central, but as the season goes on, it figures to be a tight race. The Cleveland Indians currently sit in second place, and the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals are in third. The fourth place Detroit Tigers have struggled this year, but entering play Saturday they were just 2 games back of the division lead.
Next: A's not focused on trades just yet
White Sox starters have a record of 22-15 on the season, with ace Chris Sale leading the way with an astonishing 9-1 record. Sale is having a Cy Young-type season, but the White Sox may look to add to their rotation, by bringing in James Shields.