He appears to be nearing the end of the end of his very good pitching years. After 9 consecutive seasons of 200+ innings, I'm more surprised his arm still has any life left in it. 

That was indeed a poor debut, although I will note the White Sox have only had a few days to work with him so far.  If he fell into some bad habits in San Diego, or failed to make some necessary adjustments during that time, his initial results with the White Sox will likely be a continuation of that (kind of like Liriano's results in his 2 months with the White Sox).

Edited June 9, 201610 yr by spycake

The White Sox are nothing if not aggressive, they just DFA'd Latos today (even after Shields' debut).

 

This is nothing new. Players have always made money in the second half of their careers because they were paid peanuts in the first half of their careers. That's the basis of free agency. Owners get 6 years of incredibly cheap labor before the player can truly negotiate in an open market.

It might not be new, but it does not make it a wise investment strategy.

 

It might not be new, but it does not make it a wise investment strategy.

 

Hard to say, for sure. If you never sign any FAs because they don't return the same WAR/$ as rookies....you probably won't ever win many playoff games. It isn't about win/$, it is about wins. At some point, most teams need to sign a FA or three to close holes, or stagnate.

 

Hard to say, for sure. If you never sign any FAs because they don't return the same WAR/$ as rookies....you probably won't ever win many playoff games. It isn't about win/$, it is about wins. At some point, most teams need to sign a FA or three to close holes, or stagnate.

Well our FA are not taking us very far in those playoffs and Pujols is not taking the Angels and the list can get quite long.  Yes there are FA that make a difference, but then there are James Shields and I believe there are more losses than wins in this monopoly game. 

Big Game James gave up 6 ER in 5 innings yesterday, with 9 hits, 4 walks, and 1 k.  The White Sox think Don Cooper can fix anyone, which is what they said when they traded for Liriano.  Latos and Shields (so far) aren't helping his rep.

 

Speaking of Liriano (and sidetracking the thread), he's fallen off the rails a bit.  If you had bet me ten years ago that he'd have 92 wins at the age of 32.5, I would have been happy to take the over.  Only four years in his career so far with double-digit wins, and only two years over 12 (16 and 14).  Too bad.

 

Big Game James gave up 6 ER in 5 innings yesterday, with 9 hits, 4 walks, and 1 k.  The White Sox think Don Cooper can fix anyone, which is what they said when they traded for Liriano.  Latos and Shields (so far) aren't helping his rep.

 

Speaking of Liriano (and sidetracking the thread), he's fallen off the rails a bit.  If you had bet me ten years ago that he'd have 92 wins at the age of 32.5, I would have been happy to take the over.  Only four years in his career so far with double-digit wins, and only two years over 12 (16 and 14).  Too bad.

Liriano was a head case, I was happy to see him go.

In regards to Shields

Trade him to Pittsburgh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited June 14, 201610 yr by The Wise One

 

Liriano was a head case, I was happy to see him go.

I thought it was time for him to leave the Twins.  At that point I don't think I'd have taken the over on 92 wins.  I do respect how he's turned it around, at least from where he was when the White Sox traded for him.

After yesterday's adventure, Shields stands with an ERA of 21.80 after 3 starts with the Whities, gone 8.2 IP, giving up 24 hits, 5 of which were HR, walking 9 batters and only striking out 5.

 

From Chris Jaffe on Twitter:

 

@jaffechris
Last time a guy had 4 straight GS w/ 7+ RA & minimum 31 ER? Vern Kennedy, 1936-37

 

He will turn it around somewhat, but good lord has he been awful.

These have been some Big Games indeed. Yuuuuge!

Yikes. 

 

Yikes. 

love how it's working out horribly for them. almost hard to believe they are in 4th place in our division :-)

For straight great starts.....

Well, good thing for the White Sox they got to play us so much this year or they could be looking at 90 or more losses by the end of the season (though not likely).

 

Shields turned out to be horrible (with his FIP being even worse than his 5.84 ERA going into today where he gave up 6 more earned runs) and the White Sox will end up in 4th place.

 

One winning month, April.

Edited September 21, 201610 yr by jimmer

Maybe if they keep trotting him out there to get shelled, he will retire and save them some cash?

Twins sign Nolasco....