According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Diamondbacks have emerged as a surprise team in the mix for free agent right-hander James Shields.
Rosenthal speculates that Arizona’s interest is a “strong indication” that Shields’ market is not at $100 million, as they aren’t willing to spend for him at that level. We heard last week that Shields received a five-year, $110 million offer from an unidentified team, but Rosenthal and Jon Morosi are reporting that “he did not want to go to that team.”
Shields’ market has been remarkably quiet for someone who posted a 3.21 ERA last season and has logged at least 203 1/3 innings over the past eight seasons, but he just turned 33 in December and teams could be wary about the possibility of committing big money on a long-term deal. Because he turned down a qualifying offer from the Royals, he will also cost a draft pick.
