San Francisco Giants Trade Rumors: James Shields May Be Headed To The Giants
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, the San Francisco Giants are now the frontrunners to land a pitcher that would make their starting rotation one of the best in baseball. This acquisition would aide a run at the postseason. As of Wednesday, the San Francisco Giants are just half a game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
The San Francisco Giants are pursuing San Diego Padres ace James Shields, who is on the trade block. Shields fits the profile of the type of a starting pitcher the Giants are looking for. He could slot in behind Madison Bumgarner in the rotation. The San Francisco Giants had interest in adding James Shields during the offseason when he was a free agent.
I bet the Giants get James Shields (if they make any significant moves at all that is.) #SFGiants
— Arturo (@RicoMcTaco) July 27, 2015
One AL exec predics James Shields will go to the #SFGiants. But #Padres have told clubs they prefer not to trade within their division.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 28, 2015
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the San Francisco Giants are interested in acquiring a top flight starting pitcher to add to their rotation. David Price and Cole Hamels are two names that came up in discussion. But if the team is unable to add either of those two, the Giants will turn to Shields. Currently, they are not the frontrunners for either Price or Hamels, and according to Ken Rosenthal, they are fading in the race for Hamels.
#SFGiants fading in Hamels derby. Have not been in touch with #Phillies in last 24 hours, according to a source.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2015
However, the Padres have made it clear that they do not wish to trade within their division, even after the Matt Kemp-Yasmani Grandal trade made during the winter. This also means that the other teams in the NL West may not want to trade some of their top prospects to organizations in their division. Nevertheless, if the San Francisco Giants offer the best package, the Padres may still consider it heavily.
Teams speaking with the #Padres say they’re about to get “super-active” & think they’re positioning themselves to make a “huge deal.”
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2015
Th San Francisco Giants are interested in James Shields, but the Padres are second thinking about trading within their own division
— DogPolice Sports Gambling (@DogpoliceBets) July 29, 2015
The Giants may not be willing to give up top prospects like Andrew Susac or Tyler Beede, and Adam Duvall will not be enough. But the Giants should give up these guys, since Shields could remain in San Francisco until after the 2019 season, where there is a club option.
Of course there are questions about whether James Shields is worth it. He has been decent in San Diego, which is not enough. But maybe in the San Francisco Giants’ playoff environment, they could revive what James Shields showed in Kansas City last season. If they do go the way of Shields, it will be a risk, but one with possibly great rewards.
After a shaky start from Matt Cain on Tuesday and the Dodgers acquisition of Mat Latos, it has become more evident that the San Francisco Giants need another pitcher to upgrade their rotation immediately, if they want to remain in playoff contention.
Matt Cain is doing the Giants a solid by encouraging them to go out and get another starting pitcher. He's a team leader.
— reuben (basketball ennui edition) (@liesandperfidy) July 29, 2015
Do you think the San Francisco Giants will make a transaction in order to acquire James Shields? If not, what other moves do you see the Giants making before the trade deadline on July 31?
[Image Source: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images]
