MLB: New York Mets at San Diego Padres

White Sox, Padres Reportedly Agree On James Shields Deal  

The White Sox and Padres have agreed in principle to a deal that will send James Shields to the South Side of Chicago, according to FanRag’s Jon Heyman. While details are not yet clear, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Dennis Lin reported that the Padres are interested in Fernando Tatis, Jr., a White Sox signee from the 2015 international FA draft class, and will eat a significant portion of the $58 million Shields is owed over the next three years.

While Shields hasn’t been the star pitcher he was when he was with Tampa Bay and Kansas City since signing with San Diego in the 2014-15 offseason, he is on pace for his 10th straight 200 IP season this year, and represents a very dependable upgrade over whichever of Mat Latos or Miguel Gonzalez he will be replacing. At his reported price, this appears to be a very nice deal for the White Sox despite the obvious drawbacks — Shields has allowed a MLB high 42 home runs in 44 starts since the start of the 2015 season while playing half his games in a massive ballpark.

The White Sox likely will now look to fill other holes, which hypothetically could be part of this deal as well. The NL West bottom feeders have a decent glut of players who may be usable to the White Sox at the right price, including Derek Norris, Melvin Upton, Jon Jay and Matt Kemp. Whether such players would be involved in the Shields trade is unknown at this time.

Shields was slated to start tomorrow for the Padres, so likely now will be ready to slot right into the White Sox rotation and replace Latos or Gonzalez, who are set to pitch Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Lead Photo Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

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4 comments on “White Sox, Padres Reportedly Agree On James Shields Deal  ”

Marty34

Necessary first step. I hope this signals that the are going to move with some urgency to improve the team internally by replacing Sands with Coats and Rollins with Anderson. Time is the tyrant in this division.

Carmichael Doan

Hell might as well bring up Fulmer to help in the pen, too. I could see him having success like Sale and Rodon.

Marty34
WilburWoodWasTheMAN

I agree. I hope Coats is alright; what a tough break today. He could be an upgrade over Sands. And I also agree that the time is now, for Mr. Anderson. There is nothing he has to learn at AAA that he can’t be learning in the majors. I’d also like to see this for a couple of weeks:

1. RF – Eaton
2. 1B – Abreu
3. LF – Cabrera
4. 3B – Fraizer
5. DH – Garcia
6. C – Avila
7. 2B – Lawrie
8. CF – Jackson
9. SS – Anderson

This is, of course, when Cabrera gets back. If they do bring Anderson up, I really hope Robin puts him at the bottom of the order. If they don’t, then put Rollins/Saladino at the bottom, because the 2 hole MUST be used to revive Abreu, if Robin would just leave him there for a bit.

If Hahn can find a quality LH power platoon for Garcia, he’s got my vote for executive of the year. Alone, the Shields deal is a masterstroke, especially at that price & salary. This move accomplishes so many goos things: Shields is a clear upgrade as the #3 starter; he takes pressure off Rodon by sliding him down a rung in the rotation; he relives us of watching Latos pitch, AND as an added bonus: he eases the load on the bullpen, making that part of the roster more effective. And just imagine if Shields’ better knowledge of the AL translates into rediscovering his Tampa/KC juice. If that were to happen, Hahn might finally get the #2 starter he thought Samardja would be last year.

I’m really excited for what Hahm does next.

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