James Shields Rumors: Giants, Red Sox In The Mix For Shields

By Hayden Kane | Dec 10, 2014

Oct 20, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) talks with members of the media during a press conference the day before the start of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting pitcher James Shields is rumored to be drawing interest from the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox as MLB free agency heats up at this year’s winter meetings.

Jon Lester signed with the Chicago Cubs. It would appear that the other two finalists for his services have moved on to their respective backup plans in short order.

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Having missed out on Lester, either the Giants or the Red Sox could technically turn their attention to the top free agency target in Max Scherzer. It doesn’t sound like that is a direction either team wants to go, at least not at this point. For now, both the Giants and the Red Sox are focused on a guy who more fits the profile of a backup plan.

James Shields is solid but unspectacular, and he will cost less than Lester or Scherzer. As such, both teams are getting ready to make a run at Shields. According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish:

#RedSox and #SFGiants, two expected to be serious on Shields, are sending contingents to meet with him today.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 11, 2014

Shields went 14-8 last season in 34 starts. He is sturdy but unspectacular at this point in his career, generally regarded as a guy with a lower ceiling than Lester of Scherzer. He can still hold his own at the top of a starting rotation, however, and especially for a team that is already built to contend.

The Giants and Red Sox both fit that description, which should make the bidding for Shields interesting in the days to come.

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