The Dodgers are considering trades for Josh Johnson and James Shields since they aren’t making progress with the Cubs regarding a possible Ryan Dempster deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The Dodgers could check in on Zack Greinke, who will likely be traded this month. However, they view Cliff Lee’s contract as onerous (not that he's available).
The Angels continue to be involved in talks for Greinke, Shields and Johnson, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. They might like Greinke best, but Shields may be their most realistic target (Ken Rosenthal reported this morning that the Angels believe in Shields at a time that other clubs have doubts about him). The Angels would prefer to acquire a pitcher they can keep beyond 2012, so Shields’ contract options likely appeal to Angels executives. Johnson is also controllable, but the Angels have concerns about his health issues and $13.75MM salary.
The Angels would like to find a taker for Ervin Santana and Vernon Wells, Knobler writes. The team would likely have to absorb salary to move either player.
James Shields would do well in the National League, especially in the West. I know Josh Johnson has flat out better stuff, but he has been injury prone. James Shields I would imagine would cost much less to acquire than J.J.
Totally agree.
Dodgers won’t pay anybody’s asking price. Your welcome to Shields.
The A’s were gonna pick up half of Hanley’s salary, but the dodgrs moved in and paid the whole thing.
what would the dodgers give up besides prospects for either Johnson or Shields?
Billingsley needs to go in some short of deal, thats for sure.
Bills, Gordon, Lee more than enough for ether.
yeah, that’s WAY more than enough. Too much.
I wonder if the whole Kazmir debaucle is in the back of anybody’s mind when it comes to getting Shields?
I was wondering the same thing when I heard about the idea of picking up Shields. Same situation….had a great couple of years, promise and never went beyond that.
james shields would probably cost less then what the marlins are asking for Johnson and he shields might do good in the nl west especially since not many hitters have faced him in national league
Come on LA, overpay for Shields!
they wont have to overpay
Dodgers are using Shields and JJ as leverage against Cubs. Dempster is key to get at low price, so Dodgers can deal prospects on a better bat.
Agreed.
If the Marlins are thinking about trading JJ to the Dodgers, they should think twice. Considering the return they got for Hanley and Choate, they can probably get a better return somewhere else.
I’m pretty sure they’ll compare the Dodgers offer to the other offers they get.
“the Angels believe in Shields at a time that other clubs have doubts about him”
This fan doesn’t. Don’t do it, Dipoto!
Anyone having problems with the commenting?
While Shields’ DIP numbers have taken a small step back and fallen back in line with career norms, those numbers are still very good and he eats a lot of innings. The Kaz 2.0 is nothing but a lazy comparison based on nothing other than they both pitched for the Rays at one time and that Kaz was traded to the Angels. Kaz was a small, fastball-slider pitcher who lost his slider and had several years of declining peripheral stats and injuries before his trade. Shields is a workhorse, change up-curveball pitcher whose peripheral statistics have continued to be strong and consistent for the last six seasons.
Actually I think it’s more based on the respect everyone has for Andrew Friedman and the Rays organization. They’re particular adept at letting players go at just the right time. If the Rays are willing to trade such a valuable pitcher in the midst of a playoff race that they’re 2 games away from leading, then I’d say there’s something wrong with the pitcher.