The 13-year veteran pitcher has a $2 million buy-out and the White Sox has a $16 million option. It seems like a no-brainer to spend $2 million and give Shields his walking papers.
But, there is actually some discussion on keeping Shields around for another year.
In fact, Vinnie Dubar with NBC Sports argued that the Sox should keep Shields around for another season. His argument is that the young pitchers need to have a helpful veteran on staff for guidance. Dubar wrote:
“He’s been a particularly strong influence on Lucas Giolito, with the two set up next to each other in the clubhouse all season — that is until Michael Kopech arrived and Shields requested Kopech slide in between him and Giolito, again for mentoring purposes.