Detroit Tigers: Five Starting Pitching Trades

Apr 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (37) walks off the field after being relieved in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (37) walks off the field after being relieved in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

James Shields

The San Diego Padres are trying to rebuild after trying (and failing) to go for it all in 2015. The team went all in to trades for Matt Kemp, Wil Myers, Justin Upton, Will Middlebrooks and Craig Kimbrel. Another player who was acquired in the offseason heading into 2015 was starting pitcher and free agent signing James Shields.

Suffice to say, the moves put a significant impact on the team’s long-term outlook as many of the organization’s best prospects were dealt in the moves—not to mention all the salary commitments San Diego took on.

At 34-years-old and on a massive contract that runs through 2019, Shields isn’t a part of the 13-17 Padres’ future.

San Diego would need to eat a significant portion of his contract, but Shields would be a fit in Detroit. He’s still a work horse, having led the league in games started in each of the last three seasons. In addition, he’s still pretty effective. Since joining the Padres in 2015, his ERA in San Diego has been a respectable 3.80.

James Shields isn’t the frontline pitcher he once was, but as an effective innings eater, he’d bring value to the Tigers. A package of Tyler Collins, Dominic Ficociello and a pitching prospect would make sense.