"Big Game" James Shields may have pitched his last contest in a Kansas City Royals uniform as it is said to be "doubtful" that the team will bring him back in 2015.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore appeared on MLB Network Radio and said he has thought about trying to re-sign the free agent pitcher, but he doesn't believe anything will get done.
"At this point in time, it's doubtful," Moore said, according to MLB.com.
Moore said he thinks the Royals will stand pat regarding their rotation heading into spring training.
"We feel right now that we're probably who we are going into spring training," Moore said. "You never say never, but right now with the addition of Edinson Volquez and rounding out our rotation and replacing James Shields, we feel that our rotation's going to be very solid. It's going to give us guys that compete and utilize our defense."
Volquez signed a two-year $17 million deal with Kansas City on Dec. 29 and the pact includes a $10 million team option for 2017 and a $3 million buyout option.
Volquez, 31, went 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA in 32 games (31 starts) with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014.
Shields, 33, went 14-8 in 34 starts last season with a 3.21 ERA and 180 strikeouts. He was instrumental in helping the Royals to an 89-73 finish which led to a wild-card spot and an eventual run to the World Series, which they dropped in seven games to the San Francisco Giants.
Shields, however, struggled mightily in the postseason, owning a 1-2 record with a 6.12 ERA in five games.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins have all been linked to Shields at one point or another this offseason, but it remains to be seen where he'll land.
Shields is 114-90 in his nine-year career with the Tampa Bay Rays and Royals with a 3.72 ERA and 1,626 strikeouts.
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