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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Impact Players That Could Be Moved Through Waiver Trades

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

James Shields – San Diego Padres

Like Justin Upton, James Shields was a part of the new face the Padres were hoping to wear in 2015. The final piece of Preller’s massive rebuild, Shields was signed to a 4-year, $75 million deal this winter with the intention that he would be the ace the staff needed for a playoff push.

Unfortunately, things don’t always work out as planned and Shields’ deal is now somewhat of an albatross around the necks of the Padres that hastily added pieces that never quite gelled. That said, Shields’ contract is exactly the type of deal that gets a player snuck through the waiver wires as no team would risk being stuck with his contract by claiming him. That opens the right-hander up for as a decent trade piece in August.

2015 hasn’t been all bad for Shields. In 22 starts, the 33-year-old owns an 8-4 record with a 3.77 ERA, a 4.12 FIP, and a career-best 10.0 K/9 ratio. It’s also worth noting that, despite playing in the pitcher-friendly confines of Petco Park, Shields has an oddly high .312 BABIP and a career-worst 17.9% HR/FB ratio. There is some bad luck in those numbers and James Shields is too good of a pitcher to not right the ship after a down year.

With three years and $62 million due on his contract through the remainder of this season and over the next three years, the Padres are motivated to move Shields and will undoubtedly look to do so in August. To do so, they’ll have to kick in a pretty penny to strike a deal and get something worthwhile in return. However, there is always a call for pitching at the deadline and Shields could be the rare top of the rotation starter available in August.

Next: Aaron Harang - Philadelphia Phillies

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