Chicago White Sox: 3 worst trades executed by Rick Hahn
Chicago White Sox: 3 worst trades by Rick Hahn
Trading Fernando Tatis JR. for James Shields
On June 4th, 2016, the Chicago White Sox were 29-27, with hopes of making the postseason. They wanted to go all-in on the season. As an attempt to do so, they traded for James Shields.
James Shields was coming off a great 2015 with the San Diego Padres. Despite his strong campaign, he was making $18 million a year, and the White Sox had to give up a lot.
The White Sox traded relief pitcher Erik Johnson and, just a prospect at the time, Fernando Tatis Jr.
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Tatis Jr. was not nearly as highly regarded as he is now. He spent less than a year in the White Sox organization. Nobody knew he was on the verge of stardom yet.
The worse part was that Shields’ time in Chicago was fairly disastrous. The White Sox missed the playoffs each year he was there, 2016-2018. He went 16-35 through 77 starts, 2.5 seasons. His ERA was 5.31. He ended his career with the White Sox. He has his worst seasons wearing white and black.
Fernando Tatis Jr. would be an amazing addition to this White Sox team. They could slide Tim Anderson over to second base and let Tatis Jr. man shortstop. He is going to a star and Chicago missed out by including him in the James Shields trade.