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Chicago White Sox Rumors: White Sox In Discussions For James Shields

By Ernest Shepard
Published on: 04:25 PST, May 29, 2016

For the Chicago White Sox, the tumble down the standings continue. In a matter of three weeks, the White Sox have gone from comfortably in front of the American League Central to spiraling out of first place. After losing five games in a row, the Chicago White Sox are tied for second place, just a half game back. Something has to wake them up out of their current malaise.

The White Sox had a brilliant April, going 17-8. Their May record has been abysmal so far.

Being down 10-15 is not how the White Sox envisioned things working out. Offensive struggles, bullpen woes, and some lackadaisical managing by White Sox skipper Robin Ventura are the reasons the team is in a tailspin. Can the White Sox get back on track?

The short answer is yes, the White Sox can get back on track.

Some people feel as if a trade for a hitter is needed. And having a big bat in the lineup would help the White Sox. Offense is a sore spot. Rumblings about the White Sox interest in Colorado Rockies’ outfielder Carlos Gonzalez have not ceased.

Mass Live issued a report in January that the White Sox were among the teams interested in trading for Carlos Gonzalez. Everything seems quiet on that front. It is all due to pitching, which has also become a problem for the White Sox during their recent slide.

Now there is some news coming out of Chicago after a brutal ninth inning collapse. CSN Chicago is reporting that the White Sox are in discussions with the San Diego Padres for pitcher James Shields.

James Shields is a name that has come up because the White Sox need pitching. The need for rotation depth and bullpen help is obvious. And the White Sox can contend in the American League Central, as well as the wildcard because no team has established themselves as the clear cut favorite. Winning now is what the White Sox want to do. In order to that, they need to do something to reverse their current trend.

The White Sox entered the ninth with a 7-1 lead over the Kansas City Royals. With closer David Robertson on the mound, the Royals came back to win 8-7.

Another blown lead by the bullpen led to another loss for the White Sox. They are nearly without answers in Chicago.

White Sox closer David Robertson reflected on his poor performance (courtesy of CSN Chicago) after the game.

“The worst part about it was looking back and seeing Brett (Lawrie) was right there. If I had let it go, I would have got us out of the inning. It’s frustrating when you make a mistake like that.”

Robertson was short, but candid when he spoke to reporters.

“It’s a terrible performance on my part. Can’t say much else about it. It doesn’t matter what the score is, I still have to get three outs. I let the whole team down.”

That has been the case for the second month of the White Sox season. Either a lack of hitting or an uneven pitching performance by the bullpen has led to the slide. Of the 15 losses in May, 10 of the White Sox defeats were from two runs or less. All of which speaks to the White Sox being close to winning their games. Adding James Shields would help.

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, trade talks between the Padres and White Sox is gaining momentum fast. Nothing is imminent, although the San Diego Padres are establishing themselves as sellers. They made the first MLB trade of significance when they sent first baseman James Loney to the New York Mets. It is no doubt that the Padres are looking to do some additional wheeling and dealing. James Shields is most likely the next to go.

There is a lot of money left on the 34-year-old’s deal. James Shields signed a four-year, $75 million deal in the 2015 MLB offseason. It is possible that the White Sox could wind up on the hook for the remaining two-plus years on his contract. Because they are in discussions for Shields, the White Sox may be okay with that. What would hold up a potential trade would be the Padres’ asking price.

Could the White Sox part ways with minor league shortstop Tim Anderson? It is the hope that Anderson is not involved in any trade. Tim Anderson is the first White Sox prospect of prominence who is a position player.

The last position player to garner this much buzz for the White Sox organization was second baseman Gordon Beckham. Instead of parting ways with Tim Anderson, it would be wise for the White Sox to prop up pitcher Erik Johnson. If the San Diego Padres are receptive to that trade, there should be a match.

The Chicago White Sox need some help. That includes in their batting order and their pitching staff. Acquiring James Shields would be a step in the right direction, but it could be costly. Assuming that the White Sox are comfortable with the costs, the advantages are intriguing.

James Shields, though not the pitcher that he used to be, is an innings-eater. There are question marks in the White Sox rotation beyond Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. James Shields would be a perfect third pitcher behind them. His addition would allow the White Sox to push second-year starter Carlos Rodon to the fourth spot and Matt Latos to number five.

Shields’ presence also allows the bullpen to work in regular situations, in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. He will give up home runs, but he knows how to locate his pitches. As long as Tim Anderson is spared from the James Shields’ trade, it would be a great move by the White Sox.

Keep an eye on the next couple of days, as something tells me James Shields will be in a Chicago White Sox uniform fairly soon.

[Photo by Dennis Poroy/Getty Images]

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