DETROIT -- The White Sox acquired right-handed starter James Shields from San Diego in exchange for Minor League starter Erik Johnson and infielder Fernando Tatis Jr., as announced by the teams on Saturday.San Diego also provided significant cash considerations with $58 million still owed to Shields. The White Sox will pay $27 million of what's remaining, with $5 million coming this season and $10 million in each of the next two seasons if the veteran hurler doesn't opt out after the '16 season, as he contractually can.
A $16 million club option exists on Shields for '19, with a $2 million buyout.
"We're pleased to add a starter of James Shields' caliber to our starting rotation," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We believe this move makes the entire pitching staff stronger, and the club certainly benefits from his addition, in terms of pitching depth and quality.
"He has proven to be one of the most dependable and durable pitchers in the Major Leagues over his career," Hahn added.
Shields, 34, was scheduled to start Sunday night in San Diego against the Rockies, coming off of a dreadful 2 2/3 innings performance against the Mariners on May 31 in which he allowed 10 runs on eight hits, with one strikeout and four walks. It's unknown when Shields will make his White Sox debut or whether he replaces Mat Latos or Miguel Gonzalez in the rotation.
According to one National League scout, Shields is believed to be a better fit on a team in contention, which is the case for the White Sox in the American League Central. Shields has nine straight seasons of at least 200 innings pitched, 30 starts and double-digit victories and makes sense for a White Sox rotation that entered Saturday's contest with a 0-5 record and 4.40 ERA over its last 10 games.
Chris Sale and Jose Quintana stand as bona fide aces at the top of the starting five. ButCarlos Rodon is battling through the ups and downs of his first year as a starter, while Latos has struggled after allowing one earned run on six hits in his first 18 1/3 innings.
Adding Shields also would help the White Sox bullpen based on his durability within games over the past decade. The White Sox are absolutely in a win-now mode, but don't intend to mortgage their future in terms of trading away top prospects such as shortstop Tim Anderson or right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer. They are definitely looking to enhance their chances for October baseball in a division race that looks as if it will go down to the final weeks.
Johnson, 26, had a 2-1 record with a 2.94 ERA over eight starts for Triple-A Charlotte and was 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in two starts for the White Sox. Tatis Jr., 17, was signed by the White Sox as an international free agent on July 2, 2015, and is the son of former Major Leaguer, Fernando Tatis.
A White Sox connection exists for Shields, as he is the cousin of Aaron Rowand, the center fielder on the 2005 World Series champion and currently a coach in the organization.
Scott Merkin /MLB.com
"We're pleased to add a starter of James Shields' caliber to our starting rotation," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We believe this move makes the entire pitching staff stronger, and the club certainly benefits from his addition, in terms of pitching depth and quality.
"He has proven to be one of the most dependable and durable pitchers in the Major Leagues over his career," Hahn added.
Shields, 34, was scheduled to start Sunday night in San Diego against the Rockies, coming off of a dreadful 2 2/3 innings performance against the Mariners on May 31 in which he allowed 10 runs on eight hits, with one strikeout and four walks. It's unknown when Shields will make his White Sox debut or whether he replaces Mat Latos or Miguel Gonzalez in the rotation.
According to one National League scout, Shields is believed to be a better fit on a team in contention, which is the case for the White Sox in the American League Central. Shields has nine straight seasons of at least 200 innings pitched, 30 starts and double-digit victories and makes sense for a White Sox rotation that entered Saturday's contest with a 0-5 record and 4.40 ERA over its last 10 games.
Chris Sale and Jose Quintana stand as bona fide aces at the top of the starting five. ButCarlos Rodon is battling through the ups and downs of his first year as a starter, while Latos has struggled after allowing one earned run on six hits in his first 18 1/3 innings.
Adding Shields also would help the White Sox bullpen based on his durability within games over the past decade. The White Sox are absolutely in a win-now mode, but don't intend to mortgage their future in terms of trading away top prospects such as shortstop Tim Anderson or right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer. They are definitely looking to enhance their chances for October baseball in a division race that looks as if it will go down to the final weeks.
Johnson, 26, had a 2-1 record with a 2.94 ERA over eight starts for Triple-A Charlotte and was 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in two starts for the White Sox. Tatis Jr., 17, was signed by the White Sox as an international free agent on July 2, 2015, and is the son of former Major Leaguer, Fernando Tatis.
A White Sox connection exists for Shields, as he is the cousin of Aaron Rowand, the center fielder on the 2005 World Series champion and currently a coach in the organization.
Scott Merkin /MLB.com
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