Atlanta Braves: Players They Should Trade For
By Kit Anderson
8. Change James Shields Scenery and Hope Production Changes as well
If you look at James Shields stats there is no way to slice it other than ugly. Shields has been awful the last two years after spending a long time as an ace. Shields is over paid and may well be past his prime but the Sox will look to dump any of his contract and why shouldn’t the pitching desperate Braves gamble a bit.
The worst that can happen is Shields continues to struggle and the Braves are out a bit of cash. Best case Shields finds a bit of himself again and helps anchor a young rotation that is in desperate need of leadership.
After a season of Jaime Garcia, Bartolo Colon, and R.A. Dickey attempting to help the rotation is it really a step down at all? Shields has had ugly numbers and this is only a fit for the Braves if they are willing to gamble a bit and be willing to cut or trade Shields and eat the salary if it doesn’t work.
There are other options besides Shields as well that the Braves could explore and look to give a chance to bounce back as well.