MLB Chicago Cubs

James Shields Is Perfect Fit With Chicago Cubs

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By @Tidow1212

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Coming off their surprise World Series run, there is a great sentiment in MLB circles hoping that the Kansas City Royals can find a way to keep their ace James Shields in town by signing him in free agency this winter. While that would be a great notion, whether or not it is actually feasible is another story completely. As a realist, one must consider that Kansas City’s chances are not so good. But, where might he land?

Enter the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have a wealth of young, offensive players who are about to become a force to be reckoned with in the NL. Guys like Javier Baez have already shown glimpses of what they’re capable of in the majors. Perhaps the prospect with the most potential, third baseman Kris Bryant, absolutely pulverized minor league pitching in 2014 with 43 HRs and 110 RBIs. Adding this to an already solid core of Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, Chicago has something special in the works.

The Cubs are going to be very good, but they have traded away most of the quality starting pitchers that they had, particularly last season when they shipped both Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland Athletics for all-world SS prospect Addison Russell. There has been a feeling that the club could be willing to part ways with one of these popular up-and-comers in exchange for pitching.

However, considering the team’s payroll is at an extremely manageable level currently, it makes more sense to add through free agency and keep this lineup as potent as possible.

The Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, saw first-hand what Shields is capable of when the two bumped heads while Epstein was the GM of the Boston Red Sox. Shields was a big part of the Tampa Bay Rays team that had such a stellar run in the AL East over the last six years and undoubtedly gave Boston headaches at times.

Shields is 32, which might actually work in the Cubs’ favor. Many MLB teams are reluctant to lock up starting pitchers far past the age of 36, and Shields and his agents are aware of this.

Had Shields been 30 heading into the offseason, like Jon Lester, he would look for something closer to six years and $120 million, but that is highly unlikely at 32. The Cubs really don’t need to lock up an ace type pitcher to a huge contract as they may eventually consider moving some of their offensive players in a deal for perhaps for a pitcher locked into a far more reasonable contract.

Shields is not an overwhelming ace, but he’s consistent and reliable. He’s pitched over 215 innings for eight consecutive seasons, and has been remarkably healthy for a starting pitcher. The AL Central is not exactly full of offensive juggernauts, so he did gain some advantage in that division, but his 14-8, 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP can probably be relied on for the next four seasons in the NL Central, which also isn’t full of offensive powerhouses.

Instead of spending a tremendous amount more on someone like Lester, Shields might be a smarter move.

Many in the game think Shields will be looking for a $100 million deal. The fact that the Royals extended him a qualifying offer somewhat hurts his chances for receiving what he wants as whichever team signs him will lose a draft pick. If Chicago could pull off a deal perhaps of a high annual salary but less years (like four-years, $88 million) they would be saving $60 million as opposed to Lester.

With that kind of money they could continue to load up elsewhere, possibly on a top-shelf closer as their bullpen is certainly in question

Timothy Downs is a fantasy sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him on Twitter @Tidow1212

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