Coming into the offseason, James Shields was expected to lock down a hefty contract though at 33-years-old, many teams were scared away from his price tag. That has left Shields without a team just days before some spring camps open, but it sounds as if the former Kansas City Royals ace may have a new home in the very near future.
That’s because Buster Olney of ESPN says many around MLB believe James Shields is likely to sign with the San Diego Padres.
There is a growing sense among some of the folks involved in James Shields conversations that he will probably land with the Padres.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 6, 2015
It’s a move that makes sense for all parties as James Shields has a home in the area and has a preference to pitch on the West Coast. As for the San Diego Padres, they’ve been in the market for a top of the rotation starting pitcher for quite some time and while Shields may not be a true number one, he certainly can be an elite starter.
What this does for the Padres pursuit of Cole Hamels, assuming James Shields signs in San Diego, is unknown though they’d be smart not to give up on such a deal if it’s still available.
