Report: White Sox shopping James Shields
James Shields' time in a Chicago White Sox uniform could be incredibly short-lived.
Chicago has made the 34-year-old available via trade, according to sources of FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.
Shields was acquired by the White Sox in a trade with the San Diego Padres at the beginning of June for Erik Johnson and Fernando Tatis Jr., and after a rocky start has pitched well, posting a 1.71 ERA over his last six starts.
Morosi speculates the White Sox could capitalize on his current success and sell high on the veteran.
With the trade market thin on starting pitching, Shields could provide a viable and experienced option to a contending club in need.
Since returning to the American League, Shields owns a 3-5 record with a 5.17 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, while his strikeout rate has dropped to a career-low 4.7 per nine innings.
Over the course of his 11-year career, Shields has tossed more than 200 innings nine times, including 249 1/3 for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011.
Shields is owed the remainder of his $21-million salary for 2016, plus $21 million in each of 2017 and 2018, although San Diego picked up $38 million of the contract after trading him. He also has a $16-million team option attached to his contact for 2019.
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