The San Francisco Giants have made headlines for the wrong reasons since winning their third World Series in the last five years, losing star third baseman Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox, and Jon Lester turned to the Chicago Cubs.
Red Sox Still Looking To Add Pitching
Still, the defending champions are on the hunt for a front-line starting pitcher, and there are still two remaining on the free agent market. Max Scherzer is widely regarded as the best pitcher still available, although his price tag is expected to come at around $200 million, which may be too rich for San Francisco's blood.
However, the Giants are believed to have set their sights on James Shields. Shields faced off against the Giants in the World Series, but now appears likely to leave Kansas City. According to media reports, the Giants are "going hard" after the free agent right-hander, and many consider them the favorite to sign him.
Houston Entering The Cole Hamels Race?
In 2015, the Giants have World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner leading their rotation, and Matt Cain returning from an injury-plagued season. However, San Francisco's other starters are still question marks. Signing Shields would give them a third top-tier starting pitcher and a proven workhorse.
Shields has pitched over 200 innings in every season since 2008, and can give teams an above-average value for a starting pitcher in nearly every season.
Signing Shields is far from a lock for the Giants, and the Red Sox and the Texas Rangers are also rumored to be interested in the veteran righty. Still, Shields is a native Californian, and the odds are seemingly good that San Francisco will be able to lure him to the Bay area so that he can help them defend their title.
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