June 04--The White Sox acquired veteran right-hander James Shields and cash in exchange for minor-league infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and right-hander Erik Johnson on Saturday, a move made to shore up the Sox's bid to stay in contention in the American League Central.
Shields, 34, is 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA over 11 starts this season, his second with the Padres. That number was thrown off a bit by his last start, when he allowed 10 earned runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Mariners. He is an 11-year major-league veteran who has pitched more than 200 innings each season since 2007.
"We're pleased to add a starter of James Shields' caliber to our starting rotation," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "We believe this move makes the entire pitching staff stronger, and the club certainly benefits from his addition in terms of pitching depth and quality. He has proven to be one of the most dependable and durable pitchers in the major leagues over his career."
Sox starting pitchers rank third in the American League with a 3.61 ERA, thanks in part to outstanding starts from left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. But Shields could replace Mat Latos or Miguel Gonzalez in the rotation and provide a boost with his ability to eat up innings.
Shields, who was scheduled to start Sunday for the Padres, has $58 million left on his contract, which includes the ability to opt out after this season. The Sox will pay $27 million of that contract, $5 million this season and $10 million in 2017 and 2018 if he doesn't opt out. The remaining $2 million would go to a buyout if the Sox don't exercise a $16 million team option in 2019.
Tatis Jr., the son of former major-league third baseman Fernando Tatis, was the No. 27 international prospect last season, according to MLB.com.
The trade ends Johnson's up-and-down tenure with the Sox, in which he went 7-6 with a 4.50 ERA over 18 major-league starts. He was 2-1 with a 2.94 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Charlotte this year.
