James Shields Expected To Sign By End Of Week

There are multiple reports surfacing that free agent starting pitcher James Shields – with multiple offers in hand – is expected to make a decision and sign with a club by the end of the week.

But no Mariners fans, it will not be with Seattle.

That should come as no surprise, as the Mariners haven’t even been mentioned in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence when it comes to the potential landing spots for the right-hander.

Who will it be? Indications are that the Cardinals have shown interest, as well as the Padres. The Yankees are thought to be actively pursuing Shields – and we all know they have the money to throw around if they want to.

But according to Joel Sherman, the Yankees aren’t in on Shields.

So who will it be? None of the teams that are being rumored to be interested in “Big Game” James Shields have come out and said they are interested. And while that’s not a huge shocker, it is interesting given that we usually hear of at least one team coming out and admitting they are targeting a guy (e.g. Mariners and Nelson Cruz).

So, who is it? Well, it is most likely not the Mariners, who according to manager Lloyd McClendon, have four of their starting rotation spots locked up.

With Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton and J.A. Happ being the most likely four. With Taijuan Walker, Roenis Elias and Erasmo Ramirez competing for the 5th spot.

Will the Mariners shock the world and sign Shields? Not likely. But I’m sure Mariners fans are at least hoping he stays out of the American League, and specifically the West.