Padres trade James Shields to White Sox for prospects

The San Diego Padres have agreed to send pitcher James Shields to the Chicago White Sox.

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The San Diego Padres traded pitcher James Shields to the Chicago White Sox, the team announced Saturday.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network first reported the two sides had agreed in principle on a trade.

The Padres will receive minor league shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and pitcher Erik Johnson in exchange, sending cash considerations back to the White Sox. Bob Nightengale of USA Todayreports Chicago will pick up $27 million of the money left on Shields’s contract.

Shields signed a four-year, $75 million deal with the Padres prior to the 2015 season. He can opt out after this season and become a free agent. 

Entering Saturday, Shields held a 4.28 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 57 strikeouts and a 2–7 record in 11 starts for the struggling Padres, who are 22–34 and in last place in the National League West. He holds a career ERA of 3.76 over 11 seasons with the Rays, Royals and Padres.

The White Sox entered Saturday at 29–26, 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Royals in the American League Central.