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Phillies fans remember James Shields pretty well. It was Shields who faced the Phillies in two starts of the 2008 World Series. Shields won the Phillies' only loss during the World Series. Today on February 5, Shields is still unsigned after a long offseason of free agency. However, Shields reportedly will pick his suitor soon. This may be directly affect the Phillies in either a Papelbon or Hamels trade.
Jim Duquette, a former general manager of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, listed his top five destinations for Shields in a column on MLB.com last night. Duquette is still tuned-in to the GM scene and writes these with a certain understanding of the market. Duquette's targets:
- Padres
- Marlins
- Diamondbacks
- Brewers
- Athletics
Two of these teams have ties to Phillies players. Signing Shields would kill a Phillies deal.
The Padres remain connected to Phillies starter Cole Hamels. While not of the caliber pitcher Hamels is, Shields would fill out the Padres' instant rebuild and give them one of the top pitching rotations in the National League. As opposed to Hamels, all Shields would cost the Padres is money. Like Hamels, Shields is a native of San Diego. Unlike Hamels, Shields gets to pick his destination and may wish to return home.
The Milwaukee Brewers do not have a lot of money available. Trading Yovani Gallardo saved them about $9 million. The Brewers openly admit that their rotation is not as strong as they hoped, but expressed a desire for a top closer. If the Brewers decide they will not be able to get that closer, they could turn their attention to the starting rotation. In other words, the Brewers could choose Shields over trading for Jonathan Papelbon. The Brewers and Phillies have still been talking, according to reports.
San Diego "has the geographic advantage" for Shields, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote. Should Shields choose San Diego, the Phillies still have the Red Sox with whom to make a Hamels deal. It sounds as if the deal hinges on whether or not the Sox will trade catcher Blake Swihart. The Phillies could still complete deals for Hamels and Papelbon, but the pitcher will be clearer once Shields signs.
