#HugWatch Shields heading to South Side
We could have our first big-ish trade – at least, a big-ish name that’s been rumored to be traded – of the 2016 season.
Days after the San Diego Padres’ owner Ron Fowler ripped the organization itself for its underperformance, and called out James Shields specifically, it looks like the team is finally on the verge of moving the 34-year old right hander.
To the White Sox.
Jon Heyman sent out a series of tweet within the past hour giving more details of the trade.
Padres, chisox have agreed on the principals of shields deal, with only details to go
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 4, 2016
While shields has an opt-out after this season, it's unlikely he'd walk away from $42M over 2 years #chisox #padres
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 4, 2016
One of the details to go is commish approval, which is required when millions change hands, as is the case here #shields
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 4, 2016
Padres beat writer Dennis Lin also just sent this tweet:
Rob Manfred appointed Ron Fowler head of MLB's labor committee. Just a guess, but I think this deal won't take long to be approved.
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) June 4, 2016
The recent struggles of the April-hot White Sox could use an arm in the rotation, especially one of Shields’ potential (I hate that word, especially for a pitcher of his age). The Padres are expected to eat a lot of money, and I’m really curious as to what the Sox will be sending to San Diego.
The Padres are hosting this year’s All-Star Game in July, and with the team being very lackluster, this could be the first piece of a fire sale by the organization.
Shields had success his final two seasons in Kansas City in 2013 and 2014 before signing with the Padres ahead of the 2015 campaign. The righty had a 3.15 and 3.21 ERA, respectively, while pitching two of the highest inning totals in his career.
Last year Shields struggled, adhering to a 4.45 FIP in 202.1 innings, and hasn’t improved that much in 2016. Despite starting out well, his ERA has dropped to 4.28 and WHIP to 1.426.
Shields would join a rotation also secured by Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, as Carlos Rodon continues to work on his respective issues. Mat Latos and Miguel Gonzalez are the two expendable pitchers in this situation, and I would expect (probably) Gonzalez to be DFA’d following the trade.
With the recent skid, the White Sox sit in third place in the AL Central at 29-26.
*Featured image courtesy of The Sporting News
