The Kansas City Royals aren’t going to let their ace leave without a fight.
The Royals have decided they will make a run at re-signing pitcher James Shields, people familiar with the situation told CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman. Kansas City has long been considered a long shot to re-sign Shields, who is set to become a free agent this offseason.
Heyman cites the Royals’ ongoing playoff success as reason for their quest to re-sign Shields. According to Heyman, the Royals were believed to have a shot to keep Shields only if they advanced deep into the postseason. And now, with Kansas City set to play the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series, sources have told Heyman the team already has decided to pursue a new contract with Shields.
Shields went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 starts this season, marking his second consecutive strong campaign since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander has pitched like a legitimate No. 1 starter each of the last four seasons, making him the third-best starter available on the open market this winter behind Max Scherzer and Jon Lester.
One competing AL general manager told Heyman he believes Shields’ next contract should line up favorably with deals recently signed by Anibal Sanchez and C.J. Wilson, who received $80 million and $77.5 million, respectively. That’s a lot of cash for a small market team like the Royals, especially when you consider Shields currently is Kansas City’s highest-paid player with a $13 million salary for 2014.
The Royals reportedly told Shields’ agent, Page Odle, around the trade deadline they’d be in touch after the season. Kansas City’s season isn’t over yet, but the extra revenue being earned this postseason could pay big dividends.
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