The Boston Red Sox had their eyes on Saturday’s American League Central showdown between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.
According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox scouted Royals starter James Shields, who is set to become a free agent after this season. Shields, of course, figures to be one of the best pitchers available on the open market.
Rosenthal notes that it isn’t out of the ordinary to see teams scouting potential free agents late in the season. Plus, the Red Sox already have made it clear they intend be aggressive in the starting pitching market, whether it be through free agency or trades.
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Shields, Jon Lester and Max Scherzer are considered to be the top arms available this winter. Neither Lester nor the Red Sox have ruled out a potential reunion, but Shields represents another intriguing option, even if he’s a Plan B.
Shields, who allowed three earned runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings Saturday, has had an excellent season with the Royals. The right-hander is 14-8 with a 3.18 ERA, firmly establishing himself as a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter.
The Red Sox saw plenty of Shields while he was with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2006 through 2012. The 32-year-old, currently in his second season with Kansas City, finished third in American League Cy Young voting in 2011.
