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Levine: James Shields Could Be A Fit With Cubs

By Bruce Levine-

(CBS) The CSN Chicago report that the Cubs are checking into the free agent derby for James Shields late in the game shouldn't come as a surprise.

Sensing the market may be coming down for the 33-year-old right-hander, Cubs brass would absolutely love to add him to their ever improving starting rotation. During the fall and early winter, Shields was looking for a contract around five years and $100 million, but it appears interested teams are offering shorter terms in length and price range.

Since debuting in 2006, Shields has compiled a 114-90 career record with a 3.72 ERA, while averaging nearly 224 innings pitched per season since becoming a full-time starter in 2007. The major concern in paying Shields is how the stressful 2014 campaign will impact his durability going forward. In helping lead the Royals to the World Series, Shields pitched a combined 252 innings between the regular season and postseason.

Shields pitched for new Cubs manager Joe Maddon for seven seasons while they were in Tampa Bay from 2006-'12. If negotiations heat up, that should add to the comfort level for both the Shields and the club. Shields was 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in the 2014 regular season.

Whether to invest big money into a quality-but-aging pitcher is the hard question for the Cubs and other interested teams. With just two weeks until spring training, most contending clubs have spent up to their 2015 budgets by now.

Others rumored to be interested in Shields are the Padres, Marlins, Diamondbacks, Brewers and Athletics. Light on starting pitching, the Yankees can't be counted out of a final push either.

The wear and tear on Shields may be more imagined than real. In 2014, he posted a 3.65 ERA before the All-Star game and a sparkling 2.62 ERA after the break. A road warrior in the true sense of competition, Shields went 10-2 with a 2.97 ERA last season.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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