3 scenarios for Milwaukee Brewers after trade of Yovani Gallardo
By Phil Watson
Oct 21, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning during game one of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Scenario 1: Sign A No. 1 For The Rotation
With former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer off the market, having signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Washington Nationals late Sunday night, that leaves right-hander James Shields as the top free agent starter on the board.
Shields earned $13.5 million with the Kansas City Royals while helping them to their first postseason berth since 1985.
He is durable, tying for the American League lead in games started with 34 in each of the last two seasons, and has averaged 33 starts a year since 2007.
Last season, he was 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.181WHIP in 227 innings, striking out 180—or 7.1 per nine innings.
One does have to wonder where the whole “Big Game James” thing comes from, however, considering he has a 5.46 ERA and 1.534 WHIP in 11 postseason starts.
He lost both of his World Series starts last year, allowing seven earned runs in nine innings, working Games 1 and 5.
The plus side with Shields is that he has been a No. 1 starter. But he’s also 33 years old and is looking to get paid.
Signing Shields would cost the Brewers the No. 15 overall pick in next June’s amateur draft (plus the associated slot money) and would mark three straight years Milwaukee would have forfeited its first-rounder for a thirtysomething right-hander in free agency, joining Kyle Lohse in 2013 and Matt Garza last year.
Not ideal.
Next: Or Do You Prefer Door No. 2?