While it look more and more like Jorge De La Rosa will move to another team this offseason, the Colorado Rockies are already preparing to examine other possibilities out there. Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields could be a target for the Rockies. Shields emerged onto the scene in 2007 and 2008 as one of the Rays’ young starting pitchers, but the last two seasons failed to live up to the earlier two.
Shields regressed significantly not only with his 5.14 ERA, but he also allowed the most hits (246), the most earned runs (117) and the most home runs (34). However, Shields also provides significant upside if he can turn things around. In 2008, during the Rays’ run to the World Series, he posted a 3.56 ERA and a 124 ERA+.
Jorge De La Rosa is looking for a four- or five-year deal that the Rockies may not be able to offer.