Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported this afternoon that the White Sox and Padres agreed to the framework of a trade involving pitcher James Shields. CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes reports that the deal is done and pitcher Erik Johnson is headed to the Padres. Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres will also receive outfielder Fernando Tatis, Jr., son of the former major leaguer. The White Sox will cover more than $30 million of Shields’ remaining salary, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Heyman added that Shields is unlikely to opt out of his contract after the season, as would be his right. He will have two years and $44 million remaining on the contract.
Interest in Shields was first reported last Sunday. Shortly thereafter, the right-hander gave up 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings to the Mariners, but that apparently didn’t dampen the effort the White Sox put in to reach a deal. Shields currently stands with a 2-7 record, a 4.28 ERA, and a 57/27 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings. While the numbers aren’t currently impressive, Shields posted a sub-4.00 ERA from 2011-15 while pitching at least 200 innings.
Shields bolsters a White Sox rotation that has a severe drop off in quality after Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. The club lost seven games in a row from May 24-30 and is 6-16 since May 10.
