The San Diego Padres are reportedly looking to get rid of starting pitcher James Shields and have reached out to several teams for a possible deal.
According to John Heyman of MLB Network, the Padres are trying to trade the 34-year-old pitcher with less than two weeks before they open their 2016 MLB season campaign against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Heyman also revealed that the Padres have already talked to several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. The Padres also expressed willingness to pay a portion of Shields' remaining contract, depending on the trade package that they will get in return.
Shields signed a four-year, $75 million deal with the Padres last season. He is scheduled to earn $21 million in the upcoming season and could opt out of his contract next year.
The 10-year veteran went 13-7 in 33 starts with a 3.91 ERA with 216 strikeouts last season. His total number of strikeouts last season was his highest in three seasons, but also had his worst ERA since tallying 5.18 in 2010, when he started in 33 games for the Tampa Bay Rays.
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While Shields could still become a reliable starter in the upcoming season, Heyman added that the Padres did not come close to getting what they are asking for, which means the right-hander will likely start for them in April 5.
Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported that there is no imminent trade involving Shields. However, sources also indicated that the Padres are expected to shop the Newhall, California native before the trade deadline in August if they fail to live up to expectations in the upcoming season.
"Shields was considered a candidate to be traded last summer and again during the winter," Lin wrote. "If the Padres struggle in the highly competitive National League West this season, rival teams believe they will look to move Shields, among other established players, before the Aug. 1 trade deadline."
Starting pitchers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross were also mentioned as potential trade candidates for the Padres along with catcher Derek Norris and right fielder Matt Kemp.
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