Chicago White Sox: 2018 offseason blueprint
Step One: Cut James Shields
This one kinda goes without saying.
While James Shields had a nice bounce-back season in 2018, a 7-16 record with a 4.53 ERA is by no means good.
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Neither is the large sum of money that Shields is owed if the White Sox decide against exercising his buyout.
Shields’ true value came in the form of innings — Shields would go longer than normal instead of forcing the bullpen to be burned.
In 2019, the White Sox might not need that. Especially with the emergence of Carlos Rodon, the White Sox don’t need a true veteran presence in the rotation either.
Exercising Shields’ buyout would give the White Sox more money to spend, adding on to a franchise-record spending budget this winter.
Additionally, letting go of Shields would open up a spot in the rotation for a free agent, or even a young starter waiting in the wings in Triple-A.
It’s always been clear that Shields would not be a member of the White Sox once they return to their winning ways. Those winning ways could very well resume next season, and therefore, Shields (and his big check) must be out.
Hopefully, in ten years we’ll remember Shields as a “sacrifice” of the rebuild. Unfortunately, he’ll be remembered as a major failure of Rick Hahn’s for now.