The San Diego Padres look destined for another year of mediocrity, and they may be close to offloading one of their more expensive veterans as a result.
According to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres are in talks to trade pitcher James Shields to the Chicago White Sox, and the discussions have “significant momentum.”
While a deal may not be imminent, the Padres are clearly looking to move Shields, and the White Sox have been after starting pitching help all season, so the pairing makes plenty of sense.
Shields is signed through 2018 and is owed another $65 million by San Diego. While the Padres are willing to kick in some money to make a deal happen, Shields can also opt out of the deal after 2016, which could complicate a significant return.
Shields has reportedly been on the block since the offseason, but he’s put up a 3.06 ERA thus far this season, so he has some fuel left in the tank. Just don’t let him face Bartolo Colon and you’ll be fine.
