The Chicago Cubs were loosely tied to James Shields throughout the offseason because the market for the right-hander was unclear and the Cubs could have still used an upgrade in the starting rotation. Well, they apparently made a late push for the 33-year-old.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Cubs offered Shields a three-year contract in the $60 million range with an option for a fourth season, which is only the second disclosed offer made to the veteran. Perhaps Chicago figured they could lure in Shields with a bit less money because his former manager with the Tampa Bay Rays, Joe Maddon, is now with the Cubs.
However, Shields eventually accepted a four-year deal with the San Diego Padres that has an option for a fifth season and is worth $75 million, according to sources. Shields is from San Diego and expressed his preference to pitch on the West Coast, so his decision wasn't startling, but imagine him joining Jon Lester on the Cubs' staff? It would have fit their plans nicely.
"The Cubs entered the bidding for Shields only about a week ago, and only after the market for the pitcher appeared negligible, the source said," writes FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "A three-year contract would have fit the team's plan well, expiring just as some of the club's top hitting prospects became eligible for salary arbitration."
Although next offseason features a number of top starting pitchers, such as David Price, Jordan Zimmermann, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Zack Greinke (if he opts out), and others, these arms are likely to command contracts such as the one the Cubs signed Lester to this offseason (six years and $155 million). Rosenthal adds Cubs' team officials "are reluctant to strike a similar deal with another big free-agent starter next offseason." Another such contract could hinder their ability to keep their young hitters (Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantara, among other prospects).
Perhaps their plan was to add Shields for three years and then look to sign a free agent next offseason that may command less than five years, such as Ian Kennedy, Rick Porcello, Doug Fister, Mat Latos, Yovani Gallardo, Mike Leake or Cliff Lee (if his contract is bought out) to preserve their core of young hitters. However, they've remained in trade talks with the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the offseason about acquiring Cole Hamels, who is owed at least $100 million over the next four years and a maximum of $120 million over the next five. So we're not really sure why that is, especially if they fear the addition of another long-term contract for an aging pitcher.
Rosenthal suggests their next big move could be trading a top young hitter for a top young pitcher. With talented hitting prospects such as shortstop Addison Russell, catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber, outfielder Billy McKinney and shortstop Gleyber Torres, it's certainly a possibility.